Growth plates are areas of cartilage located at the ends of bones. Once a child becomes full grown, the soft cartilage forms into solid bone. As a result, only a child can sustain a growth plate injury. One place that a growth plate fracture can occur is in the shoulder. If left untreated, a shoulder fracture can lead to pain and deformity. Exercises may be recommended to help your child strengthen a shoulder following a fracture.
Wall Press
A shoulder wall press can help to strengthen a shoulder following a growth plate injury. Have your child stand with his hands close together against a wall. His feet should be positioned about a foot from the wall. Have him press his hands up against the wall as he squeezes his shoulder blades together. Keep the child's elbows and back straight. Have him hold this position for a count of five seconds. Relax and repeat 10 times. Never perform this exercise to the point where the child is experiencing any pain.
Shoulder Blade Setting
This exercise can help improve mobility and alleviate pain as the result of a shoulder growth plate fracture. Have your child stand with her back straight and arms relaxed at her sides. Have her rotate her hands so that her palms are facing forward. She should lower her shoulder blades slightly and squeeze the shoulder blades as tightly as possible. Tell her to hold this position for a couple of seconds. Relax and repeat 10 times.
Shoulder Clock
A shoulder clock exercise helps to alleviate pain and increase the range of motion in your child's shoulder following an injury. Have your child stand with his back straight and arms in a relaxed position at his sides. The child should bend his elbows slightly. Have him lift his shoulders upwards toward his ears -- 12 o'clock. Hold this position for a count of two seconds. The child should slowly rotate his shoulder back and downwards so that the elbow is positioned at 9 o'clock. Hold this position for a count of two seconds. Relax and repeat this exercise 10 times.
Arm Rotation
An arm rotation can help to strengthen and increase the range of motion in your child's shoulder. Have your child stand straight up. A fist should be made with the hand of the affected shoulder. Your child's elbow should be bent at a 90-degree angle and positioned across her stomach -- much like if she had a sling on her arm. The palm side of the hand should be facing your child's body. Your child should slowly turn her arm so that her forearm is facing forward. Her elbow should remain bent. Only bend as far as your child comfortably can. Hold this position for a few seconds. Relax and repeat. Complete this exercise 10 times.
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