1. A simple calculation for the timing of epiphysial arrest to correct leg length discrepancy is described. An assumption is made that growth ceases at a constant chronological age of 16 years in boys and 14 years in girls. It is further assumed that the lower femoral epiphysis provides three-eighths of an inch and the upper tibial epiphysis one-quarter inch of growth each year. 2. Whilst the assumptions made are known to be approximations, analysis of the results of 53 epiphysial arrests in 44 children shows that the errors cancel themselves sufficiently to make this method accurate. The simplicity of the calculation makes it useful to confirm or modify the timing of arrests calculated on the basis of skeletal age, or as an alternative method.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
1. A simple calculation for the timing of epiphysial arrest to correct leg length discrepancy is described. An assumption is made that growth ceases at a constant chronological age of 16 years in boys and 14 years in girls. It is further assumed that the lower femoral epiphysis provides three-eighths of an inch and the upper tibial epiphysis one-quarter inch of growth each year. 2. Whilst the assumptions made are known to be approximations, analysis of the results of 53 epiphysial arrests in 44 children shows that the errors cancel themselves sufficiently to make this method accurate. The simplicity of the calculation makes it useful to confirm or modify the timing of arrests calculated on the basis of skeletal age, or as an alternative method.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.