Growth plates play a vital role in a child’s skeletal development, allowing bones to lengthen as they grow. However, these soft, developing areas are particularly vulnerable to injury. Severe trauma — whether from falls, accidents, or contact sports — can damage growth plates, potentially leading to long-term complications such as limb length discrepancies, angular deformities, or joint misalignments.
Growth plates are the last part of a child’s bone to harden, making them more fragile than surrounding bone tissue. Since growth plates determine the future length and shape of bones, injuries in these areas can have lasting effects. Boys are particularly at risk, as their growth plates remain open longer than girls’ — often until their mid-to-late teens.
Growth Plate Injuries Can Result From a Variety of Physical Activities, Including:
- High-impact sports (football, basketball, soccer, gymnastics)
- Repetitive stress injuries (pitching in baseball, distance running)
- Falls or playground accidents (skateboarding, climbing)
- Overuse injuries due to excessive training without rest
Because children’s bones are still developing, they heal differently than those of adults, making it essential to recognize these injuries early to prevent long-term complications.
If your child experiences any of the following symptoms, they should be evaluated by a pediatric orthopedic specialist before continuing physical activity:
- Persistent pain or swelling near a joint
- Difficulty moving or bearing weight on the affected limb
- Visible deformity or changes in limb alignment
Ignoring these symptoms can lead to more serious, long-term complications.
Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital offers specialized pediatric orthopedic care in Orange County to address these concerns. Our Fountain Valley Outpatient Specialty Center provides expert treatment for sports-related injuries, including growth plate injuries. Whether it’s a sprain, strain, or stress fracture, our team is dedicated to helping young athletes recover safely and return to their favorite activities. Our experts also emphasize injury prevention and management strategies, ensuring that children and parents understand how to avoid growth plate injuries and stay active without risk.
If your child experiences a growth plate injury, joint instability, or a more severe overuse injury, they may require advanced care within the Orthopedic Center's Sports Medicine Program at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach. Should surgery be necessary, our pediatric orthopedic specialists will work closely with parents to determine the best treatment plan based on their child’s specific needs.
Recognizing the importance of pediatric orthopedic specialists in treating growth plate injuries can make a significant difference in a child’s recovery. Seeking timely, specialized care helps ensure proper healing, reducing the risk of long-term complications and allowing children to continue growing and developing without setbacks.
About Dr. Torin Cunningham:
Dr. Torin J. Cunningham is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and medical director of the Orthopedic Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. Dr. Cunningham specializes in spinal deformity/scoliosis surgery for children and adolescents, hip reconstructive surgery and general pediatric orthopedic care.
Dr. Cunningham received his medical degree from the University of California, San Diego, and completed his residency training in orthopedic surgery at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. Dr. Cunningham then furthered his training by completing a fellowship in pediatric orthopedic surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Boston.
In addition to his practice experience, Dr. Cunningham is also a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America. He teaches residents from the pediatric residency program and has given several lectures at Miller Children’s & Women’s. He has been recognized as Physician of the Year at Miller Children’s & Women’s and named to the Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Board of Trustees. And in 2021 and 2022, he was also recognized as a Top Los Angeles Doctor by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
