Growth plates, also known as epiphyseal plates, are specialized areas of cartilage found near the ends of long bones in children and adolescents. These cartilaginous regions are essential for skeletal development, acting as the sites where new bone tissue is produced. Their function is to enable bones to lengthen, increasing height and overall bone size during growth.
Ankle Growth Plates
Growth plates are present in the ankle during a child’s development. Specifically, these growth centers are located at the distal, or lower, ends of the tibia (the larger shin bone) and the fibula (the smaller calf bone). These plates contribute to the shaping of these bones, forming the ankle joint. Some foot bones, such as the calcaneus (heel bone) and the talus, also contain growth plates that play a role in their development and the proper articulation of the ankle complex.
Growth Plate Closure
As a person progresses through childhood and adolescence, the growth plates undergo a natural process of fusion, often referred to as “closure.” This occurs when the cartilage within the growth plates gradually hardens and is replaced by solid bone tissue. Once this transformation is complete, longitudinal bone growth ceases, and the bones are considered fully mature.
The timing of growth plate closure varies among individuals and between sexes, but it typically happens during the late teenage years. For girls, ankle growth plates generally close between the ages of 13 and 15, while for boys, this process usually occurs between 15 and 17. After closure, the distinct cartilaginous plates no longer exist, leaving behind a subtle epiphyseal line.
Growth Plate Injuries
Growth plates are susceptible to injury because they are often weaker than the surrounding ligaments and tendons in children and adolescents. Injuries to ankle growth plates commonly occur from falls, sports activities, or other forms of trauma, often involving twisting motions of the foot or lower leg. These injuries can range from mild, like a sprain-like injury to the fibula’s growth plate, to more severe fractures.
Prompt medical attention is important for suspected growth plate injuries to prevent potential long-term complications, such as altered bone growth, limb length discrepancies, or joint deformities. Medical professionals typically assess these injuries with imaging tests, and treatment can involve immobilization with a cast or boot, and in some cases, surgery.