Can you still grow taller after the growth plates have closed?
Sep 26, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen Jian
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, bone closure—medically known as epiphyseal closure—significantly reduces the possibility of further height growth. Epiphyseal closure refers to the disappearance of the epiphyseal line at the ends of long bones, indicating that the natural growth potential of the skeleton has been exhausted. During the growth and development phase, the epiphyses continuously undergo ossification, allowing bones to lengthen. Once epiphyseal closure occurs, skeletal growth essentially stops.
Under normal circumstances, bone closure is medically referred to as epiphyseal closure. Once the epiphyses have closed, the possibility of further height growth becomes very low. The specific analysis is as follows:
Epiphyseal closure refers to the disappearance of the growth plates at both ends of long bones, indicating that the natural growth potential of the skeleton has been exhausted. During the growth and development stage, the epiphyses continuously ossify, allowing bones to lengthen. Once epiphyseal closure occurs, skeletal growth essentially stops. As a person ages, the skeletal structure stabilizes, bone density increases, and bones harden, making further longitudinal growth difficult. Therefore, after epiphyseal closure, the likelihood of natural height increase is minimal.
Although the chance of growing taller after epiphyseal closure is very small, individual differences do exist. In some people, epiphyseal closure may occur relatively late, or there may still be minimal growth potential even after closure. However, such growth is typically limited and difficult to predict. In daily life, it is recommended to ensure adequate nutritional intake for the body. Consuming appropriate amounts of nutrient-rich foods such as eggs and pork ribs may support height growth.
