How does growing bone respond to trauma, and how is this different from mature bone?
The cartilaginous physis separates the epiphysis from the metaphysis. Pediatric ligaments and tendons are relatively stronger than growing bone (in contrast to adults). Given an equivalent force applied to growing versus mature bone, the growing bone has a higher likelihood of fracture. In addition, immature bone has a propensity to bow instead of break, which may cause buckles in one side of the cortex (torus/buckle fractures) or greenstick fractures (fracture of one cortex and bowing of the other). Fractures can also occur through an open physis. These patterns are not seen in mature bone.