Correction of partial growth arrest with free physeal transfers: An experimental study

Abstract

Through the present study, an experimental model to study partial growth arrest in immature rabbits was developed. A growth arrest that led to angular deformity was created by excising the medial half of the proximal tibial physis. The growth arrest was prevented by the insertion of an iliac apophyseal graft either immediately after excision of the physis or three weeks later after epiphyseolysis of the bony bar that had formed. The latter experiment was felt to better simulate an actual clinical situation. The group with the immediate transfer of the iliac apophyseal graft showed slightly better results. More importantly, however, was the fact that the epiphyseolysis group was also able to prevent angulation due to the growth arrest. Both groups were unable to fully compensate for the growth arrest in the total length of the tibia.