Special Considerations in the Immature Skeleton

Abstract

It is well accepted that physical activity is required for the healthy development of the growing child. As the number of children involved in regular sporting activity increases so does the potential risk for injury. This risk of injury is also dependent on the age of the child. The growing skeleton is particularly vulnerable at the time of puberty as rapid growth and the increasingly competitive nature of childhood sports, year-round activity and inadequate rest result in an increasing prevalence of overuse injuries in this population. This chapter focuses on the multimodality imaging findings of some of the most common overuse injuries in children seen at a variety of anatomical sites. The chapter also covers the variation of skeletal development that may mimic the effects of trauma and also the common acute bony injures specific to the growing skeleton.