“Growth plates are areas of developing tissue at bone ends that regulate and help determine the length and shape of the mature bone. Growth plates are also the weakest areas of a youngster's growing skeleton,” writes Robert Preidt in his article, “Growing Pains Can Be Serious.” An injury to the growth plate, the last area of the foot to harden, or ossify, and until that happens, the bone is weaker than ligaments, continues Preidt.
Kids who are most at risk are those who participate in running intensive sports like soccer. Boys suffer from growth plate injury twice as often as girls; one-third of those injuries come in sports like football and basketball, while twenty percent come from activities like sledding, biking, and in-line skating. Girls are most susceptible to the injury at age 11 and 12, while boys are most at risk at age 14. Is there a way to avoid injury? Stretching and warming up before play sports starts.
The article is filled with interesting and important information, and I recommend you take the time to read it. According to the article, growth plate injuries are often confused for sprains but are much more serious. I'm hoping that the Health Scout article will prevent injuries that could be permanent.
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