title: The effect of trauma to the lower femoral epiphyseal plate. An experimental study in rabbits.
abstract: Forty-four rabbits were operated on when five weeks old; in one group a 2 mm drill-hole was made in the intercondylar portion of the right femur across the central portion of the growth plate up to the diaphysis, while in the other group a similar drill-hole of 3.2 mm was made. At 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks after operation, specimens from the growth plates of both femora were analysed using radiographic, microradiographic, histological and histomorphometric techniques. It was found that destruction of 7% of the cross-sectional area of the growth plate caused permanent growth disturbance and shortening of the femur.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mäkelä
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vainionpää
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vihtonen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mero
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rokkanen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D000072042:Salter-Harris Fractures