At what age do the growth plates in a child's elbows typically close?

From the Guidelines

Growth plates in kid elbows typically close between the ages of 13 and 16 for girls and 15 and 17 for boys. The process of growth plate closure is a gradual one, with the distal humerus plates closing first, followed by those in the radius and ulna 1. This closure is driven by hormonal changes during puberty, which lead to the replacement of cartilage cells with bone tissue through a process called ossification. Key factors to consider in this process include:

• The timing of puberty, which can vary significantly between individuals
• The gradual nature of growth plate closure, which can make it difficult to pinpoint an exact age for closure
• The importance of understanding growth plate closure timing when evaluating elbow injuries in children, as fractures involving the growth plate require special attention to prevent growth abnormalities 1. As the growth plates close, the bones can no longer grow longer, though they can still increase in width and density. The closure of growth plates is characterized by the obliteration of cartilaginous zones, at which point the epiphyses are said to be ‘closed‘ and no further lengthening of the bones will occur 1.

From the Research

Growth Plate Closure in Kid Elbows

• The exact timing of growth plate closure in kid elbows is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5.
• However, it is mentioned that growth plates typically close in adolescence, with some studies suggesting that partial closure of the epiphyseal growth plate can occur during this time 4.
• The process of growth plate closure is influenced by various factors, including the biological age of the patient, the location of the fracture, and the type of fracture 3.
• In the case of elbow fractures, the growth plates in the distal humerus, radius, and ulna can be affected, and the timing of closure may vary depending on the specific location and type of fracture 3, 4.
• It is also worth noting that growth plate injuries can lead to growth disorders, including stimulatory and inhibitory growth disorders, and that the prognosis for these injuries is dependent on various factors, including the age of the patient and the location of the fracture 3, 5.