How do we know when the epiphyseal line is closed?

If a young baby goes to the hospital for an X-ray examination, he will find a transparent band of light in the middle of the knee joint and other parts. This part is the so-called epiphyseal line. This is a normal phenomenon that often occurs in children. As the baby grows up, the epiphyseal line will slowly close. When the human bones stop growing completely, the epiphyseal line will be completely closed. So how do you know whether your epiphyseal line is closed?

How do we know when the epiphyseal line is closed?

Generally speaking, the epiphyseal line is the end of the bone shaft, also known as the epiphysis, which is enlarged and has a smooth articular surface covered by articular cartilage. If the epiphysis heals, growth may stop. You can go to the orthopedic department for a radiological examination. Add some exercise to your daily routine, mainly jumping exercises, eat more fruits rich in vitamins, and get more sun exposure to increase the utilization of vitamin D in the body and increase the absorption of calcium and phosphorus.

Height is most closely related to genetics, followed by nutrition during the growth period. If the parents are not very tall, the height will also be affected. The epiphysis should not have closed at the age of 17. You can go to the local hospital to check the knee joint film to see if the epiphysis has not fused. If not, you will still grow taller. If necessary, you can also use growth hormone to help grow taller. If it has already fused, there is no better way. I wish you all the best.

Epiphyseal line, cross-sectional image of epiphyseal plate. There is a disc-shaped cartilage structure between the metaphysis and epiphysis of long bones, called epiphyseal plate. The epiphyseal plate itself is a layer of cartilage. It is a kind of cartilage, different from the general cartilage that does not ossify throughout life (such as the cartilage on the ears and nose), but it is cartilage that gradually ossifies with growth. When growing taller, although the epiphyseal plate is gradually ossifying, it does not become less (thin), thus ensuring the growth of long bones. After a period of development during puberty, with the secretion of sex hormones, it can be understood that the epiphysis has no ability to continue to grow after gradually ossifying. After all ossification, there is no room and raw materials for growth.

Are there any signs that can be detected in advance before the epiphyseal line closes?

If you want to know the state of your epiphyseal line and whether it is closed, the best way is to go to a professional institution for a bone age examination.

Through bone age examination, we can know:

1. Growth and development trends

There is a certain difference between bone age and life age, which is called bone age difference:

If the bone age difference is within ±1 year, it means that the body is developing normally;

Bone age>life age+1 year, indicating early development, i.e., early development;

Life age > bone age + 1 year old indicates developmental delay, i.e. late development.

2. Increase the height of the space

In general,

When a girl's bone age is around 14 years old, her epiphyseal line tends to close;

The epiphyseal line of boys tends to close at the age of 16.

However, the actual situation still needs to be based on the actual situation of personal physical growth and development.