Growth Plate Fracture of an Upper Extremity (Child)
A growth plate is an area near each end of the long bones that children have from birth to adolescence. A growth plate allows the bone to grow as the child grows. Once the bone's growth is complete, the growth plate changes to solid bone. A break (fracture) can occur in the growth plate. Growth plate (physeal) fractures can be classified in many ways, but the most common is the Salter-Harris system. The fractures are graded from I to V. The higher the number, the more serious the break. Because the bone has not yet fully formed in this area in babies and toddlers, these fractures may look normal on the first X-rays taken.
Some growth plate fractures don't affect future bone growth. Others are more severe. They can result in bone shortening, arthritis, deformity, and chronic disability of the joint in later years.
The doctor will check to see that the broken pieces of bone are in line and not pushed out of place. If the fracture is greatly out of place, it may need to be set (reduced) to move it back where it should be. For a severe injury, your child may need surgery to put the bone back in place. A splint or cast is then put on the arm. The splint or cast must stay in place until the fracture heals.
Home care
Your child’s doctor may prescribe medicines for pain. Follow the doctor’s directions for giving these medicines to your child. Don’t give your child aspirin unless the doctor tells you to.
General care
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Keep the arm elevated to reduce pain and swelling. This is most important during the first 2 days (48 hours) after the injury. As often as possible, lay your child down and put pillows under the arm until the injured area is raised above the level of the heart. In older children, have the child sit or lie down. Put pillows under the child’s arm until the hand is raised above the level of the heart. For babies and younger children, watch that the pillows don't slip and move near the face. Never leave a baby alone.
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Put a cold pack on the injured area to help control swelling. You can make a cold pack by wrapping a plastic bag of ice cubes in a thin towel. As the ice melts, be careful that the cast or splint doesn’t get wet. Don’t put the ice directly on the skin because this can cause damage. It may be hard to use the cold pack because most children don’t like the feel of the cold. Don’t force your child to accept the ice. This could make both of you miserable. Sometimes it helps to make a game of it.
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Hold the cold pack on the injured area for up to 20 minutes every 1 to 2 hours the first day. Continue using the cold pack 3 to 4 times a day for the next 2 days, then as needed. You can place the cold pack directly on the splint or cast.
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Care for a splint or cast as you’ve been directed. Don’t put any powders or lotions inside the splint or cast. Keep your child from sticking objects into the splint or cast.
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Keep the splint or cast dry. The splint or cast should be covered with a plastic bag and kept out of the water when your child bathes. Close the top end of the bag with tape or rubber bands. Covering the cast or splint with a plastic bag will not make it completely waterproof. Don't allow water to run directly over the area and don't place the covered cast in water.
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Encourage your child to wiggle or exercise the fingers on the affected arm often.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child’s doctor as advised. Your child may need follow-up X-rays to see how the bone is healing. If your child was given a splint, it may be changed to a cast at the follow-up visit. If you were referred to a specialist, make that appointment as soon as you can.
Special note to parents
Health care providers are trained to recognize injuries like this one in young children as a sign of possible abuse. Several providers may ask questions about how your child was injured. Providers must, by law, ask you these questions. This is done for the protection of the child. Please try to be patient and not take offense.
Call 911
Call 911 if any new symptoms occur, such as:
When to seek medical advice
Call your child's doctor right away if any of the following occur:
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Your child's splint or cast gets wet or soft.
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The splint or cast is too tight. If the splint is on, loosen it before going for help. It may be too tight.
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Your child's swelling or pain gets worse. Babies too young to talk may show pain with crying that can't be soothed. If the splint is on, loosen it before going for help.
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The fingers of the hand on the injured arm are cold, blue, numb, burning, or tingly.
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Your child can’t move the fingers on the hand of the injured arm.
Also call your child’s doctor right away if your child has a fever (see Fever in children, below) or chills.
Fever and children
Use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Don’t use a mercury thermometer. There are different kinds and uses of digital thermometers. They include:
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Rectal. For children younger than 3 years, a rectal temperature is the most accurate.
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Forehead (temporal). This works for children age 3 months and older. If a child under 3 months old has signs of illness, this can be used for a first pass. The doctor may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.
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Ear (tympanic). Ear temperatures are accurate after 6 months of age, but not before.
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Armpit (axillary). This is the least reliable but may be used for a first pass to check a child of any age with signs of illness. The doctor may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.
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Mouth (oral). Don’t use a thermometer in your child’s mouth until they are at least 4 years old.
Use the rectal thermometer with care. Follow the product maker’s directions for correct use. Insert it gently. Label it and make sure it’s not used in the mouth. It may pass on germs from the stool. If you don’t feel OK using a rectal thermometer, ask the doctor what type to use instead. When you talk with any health care provider about your child’s fever, tell them which type you used.
Below are guidelines to know if your young child has a fever. Your child’s doctor may give you different numbers for your child. Follow your doctor’s specific instructions.
Fever readings for a baby under 3 months old:
Fever readings for a child age 3 months to 36 months (3 years):
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Rectal, forehead, or ear: 102°F (38.9°C) or higher
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Armpit: 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
Call the doctor in these cases:
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Repeated temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher in a child of any age
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Fever of 100.4° (38°C) or higher in baby younger than 3 months
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Fever that lasts more than 24 hours in a child under age 2
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Fever that lasts for 3 days in a child age 2 or older