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EPIPHYSEAL GROWTH PLATE CLOSURE IN CATS

First broadcast on www.provet.co.uk  Focus on Orthopaedics Week


This information is provided by Provet for educational purposes only.

You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

In evaluating radiographs of the skeleton of young animals it is important to know the usual closure times of growth plates in order to decide whether there is premature, normal or delayed closure.

The following table lists the range and average closure times (in days after birth) :

TABLE - CATS 

Growth Plate Closure - Range (days) Closure - Average (days)
FORELIMB
Tuber scapulae 112
Proximal humeral epiphysis 547-730
Medial and lateral humeral condyles 98
Medial humeral epicondyle 112-126
Proximal radial epiphysis 196
Distal radial epiphysis 406-616
Olecranon tuberosity 266-364
Distal ulnar epiphysis 406-700
Intermediate and radial carpal bones
Central carpal bone
Epiphysis of accessory bone 112-126
Proximal metacarpal epiphysis
Distal metacarpal epiphysis II-V 203-280
Proximal phalangeal epiphysis I
Proximal phalanx proximal epiphysis II-V 126-154
Middle phalanx. proximal epiphysis II-V 112-140
Sesamoids 140
PELVIS
Acetabulum
Ilium
Ischium
Pubis
Tuber ischii
HINDLIMB
Femoral head 210-280
Femur - greater trochanter 196-252
Femur - lesser trochanter 238-308
Distal femoral epiphysis 378-532
Proximal tibial epiphysis 350-532
Tibial tuberosity 350-532
Distal tibial epiphysis 280-364
Medial tibial malleolus
Proximal fibular epiphysis 378-504
Distal fibular epiphysis 280-392
Fibular tarsal bone 210-364
Tarsal bones III and IV
Distal metatarsal epiphysis II-V 224-308
Proximal phalangeal epiphysis II-V 126-168
Middle phalanx - proximal epiphysis II-V 126-154
Metatarsophalangeal sesamoid 70-112
Gastrocnemius - lateral sesamoid 70-112
Gastrocnemius - medial sesamoid 154
Popliteal muscle sesamoid 112-140

(Modified after Smith RN, JSAP 10:523 1969)

Last updated : January 2016