PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - D Caine AU - J DiFiori AU - N Maffulli TI - Physeal injuries in children’s and youth sports: reasons for concern? AID - 10.1136/bjsm.2005.017822 DP - 2006 Sep 01 TA - British Journal of Sports Medicine PG - 749--760 VI - 40 IP - 9 4099 - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/40/9/749.short 4100 - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/40/9/749.full SO - Br J Sports Med2006 Sep 01; 40 AB - A systematic review of the literature on the frequency and characteristics of sports related growth plate injuries affecting children and youth in organised sport was carried out. Both acute and chronic physeal injuries related to participation in sports have been reported to occur, although injury incidence data are somewhat limited. Of particular concern is the growing number of stress related physeal injuries, including those affecting the lower extremities. Although most physeal injuries appeared to resolve with treatment and rest, there is also evidence of growth disturbance and deformity. Possible injury risk factors and countermeasures are discussed, and suggestions for directing future research provided.