The three main signs of epiphyseal closure are a slowing or cessation of height growth, a change in body shape, and maturation of secondary sexual characteristics.
The epiphysis is a point of ossification in the cartilage at the ends of the bone that occurs during bone development and appears on X-ray as a broad translucent band called the epiphysis. The gradual closure of the epiphysis is characterized by the gradual narrowing and shortening of the translucent bands.
1. Height growth slows down or stops: During the growth period, the cartilage cells in the epiphysis divide, proliferate, and ossify, so that the bone lengthens continuously, and the height grows accordingly. If the height growth slows down or stops, it indicates that the cartilage in the epiphysis and metaphysis is completely ossified, which means that the epiphysis is about to close or has already closed.
2. Changes in body shape: When the development of the bones is completed, in order to protect the bones, the child’s body shape changes, such as muscle growth, the appearance of the shape of the muscles, the outline and the increase in strength, which is also a sign of epiphyseal closure.
3. Mature development of secondary sexual characteristics: With the increase of age, under the regulation of hormone level and the growth capacity of the whole body, the epiphysis tends to close gradually at the end of puberty.
Boys show the enlargement of testicles and penis, the appearance of beard, armpit hair and pubic hair, the voice becomes low, spermatorrhea, etc. Girls show the development of breasts, the change of external genitalia, the appearance of pubic hair and armpit hair, the onset of menstruation and so on. When the sexual characteristics develop and mature, the epiphysis basically closes.
When the above three major manifestations occur, it indicates that the epiphysis is closed, but to evaluate whether the epiphysis is closed, it is still necessary to combine with other examinations such as X-rays to make a comprehensive judgment.