Can epiphyseal closure be self-tested?

Many parents hope that their children's height can reach the standard range, and some parents are worried about their children's height because they are relatively short themselves. In fact, if you want to know when your child will stop growing taller, you can check whether the epiphyseal line has closed. If the epiphyseal line has not closed, then the height can continue to grow. Some parents want to know if epiphyseal closure can be tested by themselves? Let’s find out together.

Cross-sectional image of the epiphyseal plate at the epiphyseal line. There is a disc-shaped cartilage structure between the metaphysis and epiphysis of long bones, called the epiphyseal plate.

The epiphyseal plate itself is a layer of cartilage. It is a type of cartilage. Unlike general cartilage that does not ossify throughout life (such as the cartilage on the ears and nose), it is cartilage that gradually ossifies as it grows.

When we grow taller, although the epiphyseal plate is gradually ossifying, it itself does not become smaller (thinner), thus ensuring the growth of our long bones. After a period of development during puberty, with the secretion of sex hormones, it can be understood that the epiphysis gradually ossifies and has no ability to continue growing. Once it is completely ossified, there is no more space and raw materials for growth.

2. Closure

After we reach puberty and the epiphyseal lines close, we will no longer grow taller (only considering the long bones). Because the long bones no longer grow, our legs and arms will no longer get longer.

The reason why there is a saying that "twenty-three, a jump" is because we can grow taller through non-long bone tissues, especially the lengthening of the spine, including bones and interosseous tissues (this is still very obvious to quite a number of people).

Blurred epiphyseal lines indicate that they are about to close, but the closure of the lower limbs will be later than that of the upper limbs. Boys will develop it later than girls (this is also the effect of sexual development and hormone secretion).

For most people, twenty-one or twenty-two (for boys) is the latest time.

During the reserve period (6 to 10 years old), "clean + supplement" inhibits early development, cultivates an internal environment that is conducive to growth, replenishes growth elements and comprehensive bone nutrition in a timely manner, breaks through genetic problems, and lays a good foundation for the sudden growth during puberty.

During the growth spurt period (10-14 years old), we should “catch up, supplement and repair”. Catch-up growth promotes the secretion of growth hormone, accelerates the division of bone cells, replenishes bone growth substances, and repairs damaged bone age. After adjustment, the time for children to "leap over time" can be extended and good growth can be maintained.

The excavation period (14-22 years old) is “chasing + dragging”. Supplement growth elements, accelerate bone cell accumulation, supplement bone delay factor, activate dormant bone cells, and delay the closure time of epiphyseal line. It can increase the aging process by a few centimeters and extend the bone growth cycle by a few years.

The so-called epiphyseal line is a layer of cartilage. This layer of cartilage is different from the cartilage that does not ossify throughout life. It is cartilage used for growth. As long as it exists, it will continue to ossify, so that our long bones will continue to grow, that is, the growth of arms and legs. If the cartilage does not completely ossify by a certain age, that is, the epiphyseal line does not close, then it means that the person is sick. For example, patients with gigantism do not close as they should and continue to grow.

If puberty occurs too early, that is, the reproductive system develops too early, the epiphyseal line will close prematurely, thus stopping growth.

Children have epiphyseal lines at both ends of each long bone. These are rapidly growing bone tissues. These epiphyseal lines will naturally disappear as they get older. That is, the epiphyseal line is closed, which actually means that the natural potential for height growth has been lost. Children with precocious puberty develop early and their epiphyses close prematurely. Excessive light exposure is one of the important causes of precocious puberty in children.