Children break bones more frequently than adults. Most of these injuries are minor and heal without problems. Children’s fractures are usually treated in a cast or splint. Children require surgery for fractures less often than adults with similar injuries.

Children’s fractures can be more serious because children have growth plates. Growth plate injuries can lead to growth disturbance of the injured bone. This may lead to deformity, pain, stiffness, and loss for function.

Treatment options in children are different than in adults and vary with maturity. Treatments that are the standard of care in an adult may cause complications in a child. With smaller bones and growth plates present, techniques designed for adults may not work well in a child.