Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of a growth plate injury of the elbow are:
- Sudden intense pain
- Swelling
- Inability to move or straighten the arm normally
- Numbness in hand or arm
- Changes in the way the arm bends
Causes
The most common causes of growth plate injury are:
- Falls
- Sports and recreational or playground activities
- Overuse (repetitive motion)
Other causes include:
- Child abuse
- Radiation treatment
- Extreme cold (frostbite)
- Certain medicines
- Genetic (inherited) disorders
- Infections
- Other diseases
Diagnosis and Tests
To figure out if your child has a growth plate injury of the elbow, your child’s healthcare provider will ask questions about the injury and look for signs and symptoms of a growth plate injury, including:
- Swelling
- Pain
- Bruising
- Color changes in the hand
- Unnatural bends in the bone
- Reduced movement
To confirm the diagnosis, your child’s healthcare provider may recommend imaging tests such as:
- X-rays
- CT scan
- MRI
- Ultrasound