Growth plate injuries of the wrist and hand.

Growth plate or physeal injuries are classified according to the zones of the physis that are affected and the disruption of bony structure. All physeal injuries should be reduced anatomically, particularly when an articular surface is involved. Inability to restore normal configuration can result in malunion, incongruous articular surfaces and premature cessation of growth plate activity in the region of injury. Innocuous-appearing injuries that do not involve articular surfaces may result in severe abnormalities.