Physeal injuries in children’s and youth sports: reasons for concern?

Abstract

A systematic review of the literature on the frequency and characteristics of sports related growth plate injuries affecting children and youth in organised sport was carried out. Both acute and chronic physeal injuries related to participation in sports have been reported to occur, although injury incidence data are somewhat limited. Of particular concern is the growing number of stress related physeal injuries, including those affecting the lower extremities. Although most physeal injuries appeared to resolve with treatment and rest, there is also evidence of growth disturbance and deformity. Possible injury risk factors and countermeasures are discussed, and suggestions for directing future research provided.

The ESSKA paediatric anterior cruciate ligament monitoring initiative

“…However, surgical treatment may also damage the epiphyseal growth plates and result in various growth disturbances [3,5,23]. Thus, different approaches and techniques for tunnel drilling and graft fixation have been proposed to decrease the risk of idiopathic growth disturbances.…”

Sport injuries in the paediatric and adolescent patient: a growing problem

“…Pressure epiphyses are found at the proximal and distal end of the longitudinal bones. Longitudinal bone growth takes place from the growth plate (physis) between the metaphysis and epiphysis; therefore injuries to the epiphysis and/or physis can result in longitudinal bone growth disturbance [4]. Growth cartilage appears to be more vulnerable to stress than adjacent bone structures and adult cartilage, especially during periods of rapid growth [4,5].…”

“…Longitudinal bone growth takes place from the growth plate (physis) between the metaphysis and epiphysis; therefore injuries to the epiphysis and/or physis can result in longitudinal bone growth disturbance [4]. Growth cartilage appears to be more vulnerable to stress than adjacent bone structures and adult cartilage, especially during periods of rapid growth [4,5]. In children repetitive forces applied to long bones will more likely result in injury to the weaker epiphyseal plate than ligament disruption [5].…”

Snowboarding Injuries in Australia: Investigating Risk Factors in Wrist Fractures to Enhance Injury Prevention Strategies

“…The increased risk of wrist fractures for people under 16 years raises the concern that injuries may occur in growth plate areas, resulting in longer term complications and health costs (26) . The difference in the results from the odds ratio (univariate) when compared to the logistic regression (multivariate) may be a result of the univariate analysis not incorporating the combined influence of the variables, such as age with being in the region for a holiday.…”