A cross‐sectional magnetic resonance imaging study of factors influencing growth plate closure in adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Aim To assess growth plate fusion by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and evaluate the correlation with sex, age, pubertal development, physical activity and BMI. Methods Wrist, knee and ankle of 958 healthy subjects aged 14.0‐21.5 years old were examined using MRI and graded by two radiologists. Correlations of growth plate fusion score with age, pubertal development, physical activity and BMI were assessed. Results Complete growth plate fusion occurred in 75%, 85%, 97%, 98%, 98% and 90%, 97%, 95%, 97%, 98% (radius, femur, proximal‐ and distal tibia and calcaneus) in 17‐year‐old females and 19‐year‐old males, respectively. Complete fusion occurs approximately 2 years earlier in girls than in boys. Pubertal development correlated with growth plate fusion score (ρ = 0.514‐0.598 for the different growth plate sites) but regular physical activity did not. BMI also correlated with growth plate fusion (ρ = 0.186‐0.384). Stratified logistic regression showed increased odds ratio (OR F: 2.65‐8.71; M: 1.71‐4.03) for growth plate fusion of obese or overweight subects versus normal‐weight subjects. Inter‐observer agreement was high (Κ = 0.87‐0.94). Conclusion Growth plate fusion can be assessed by MRI; occurs in an ascending order, from the foot to the wrist; and is significantly influenced by sex, pubertal development and BMI, but not by physical activity.

Growth, maturation and injuries in high-level youth football (soccer): A mini review

“…For example, a gradual overload may cause apophysitis in an immature athlete but tendinopathy in a mature athlete, and a sudden force may lead to an avulsion in the immature player but a muscle strain in the mature player (80). This theory also aligns with observations that growth-related injuries appear in a bottom-to-top pattern depending on maturity status and age (79, 81), matching the typical distal-to-proximal skeletal maturation process (1,82).…”

Shedding light on incidence and burden of physeal injuries in a youth elite football academy: A 4‐season prospective study

“…1,2 While there is a wide variability in the time frame between individuals, the ossification process of the different physis and apophysis of the lower limb occurs from distal to proximal. 1,32 The calcaneal secondary ossification center may appear from 7 years of age, while fusion is normally completed between the ages of 15 and 18 years. 1,32 The iliac crest or pubic secondary ossification centers appear at approximately 15 years, and the fusion may be delayed until 25 years of age.…”

“…1,32 The calcaneal secondary ossification center may appear from 7 years of age, while fusion is normally completed between the ages of 15 and 18 years. 1,32 The iliac crest or pubic secondary ossification centers appear at approximately 15 years, and the fusion may be delayed until 25 years of age. 1 The wider interquartile range between some physeal and apophyseal injuries might reveal a large discrepancy of maturation level between injured players.…”

Outcomes of Eight‐Plate Epiphysiodesis for Residual Clubfoot Deformities

“…(iv) performed with temporary epiphysiodesis operation using eight‐plate; and (v) followed up for at least 24 months. In at least 50% of boys, growth plates at mid‐foot fusion occur around age 15, whereas in females the growth plate closes about 2 years earlier than in males 16 . We can estimate the closure time of the epiphysis from the patient's age and growth curve.…”