Apophyseal injuries in children's and youth sports.

INTRODUCTION: The authors reviewed the current English literature regarding apophyseal injuries affecting young athletes, to highlight the frequency and characteristics of these injuries, to clarify risk factors and specific prevention measures, and to identify future research objectives.

SOURCES OF DATA: The authors performed a comprehensive search of the medical literature, using the Medline database, including all English articles. Various combinations of the Keywords 'injury', 'sports', 'athletic injuries', 'avulsion fractures', 'physeal', 'physis', 'apophysis', 'apophysitis', 'growth plate' were used.

AREAS OF AGREEMENT: Growth benefits from a moderate physical activity.

AREAS OF CONTROVERSY: Growth deficit may occur in young athletes involved in intensive practice of sport following apophysitis.

GROWING POINTS: Apophyseal injuries occurring during sport are less common than overall rate of injuries affecting the adolescent population. Growth disturbance occurs only rarely after an apophyseal injury.

AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH: Further studies should consider analytical as well as descriptive components of apophyseal injuries, to allow the identification of new possible risk factors and preventive measures and to help early detection and proper treatment as well.