What does epiphyseal fusion mean?

Sep 26, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen Jian
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, bone fusion refers to the closure of the skeletal growth plates, indicating that the bones have stopped growing in length. It is important to understand that the timing of epiphyseal fusion varies among individuals and typically occurs earlier in girls than in boys. If a child or adolescent shows abnormally slow height growth, timely medical evaluation of epiphyseal development is recommended. Maintaining a balanced diet and engaging in appropriate physical activity in daily life can support normal epiphyseal development.

Generally, bone fusion refers to the closure of the skeletal growth plates, indicating that the bones have stopped growing in length. A detailed explanation is as follows:

Epiphyseal fusion refers to the gradual ossification of the epiphyseal cartilage at the ends of bones during adolescence, eventually leading to complete union with the diaphysis (shaft) of the bone, thereby eliminating the potential for further longitudinal growth. This process occurs because, after entering puberty, hormonal levels in the body change; growth hormone and sex hormones act together to cause epiphyseal cartilage cells to gradually stop proliferating and become replaced by bone tissue. As age increases, the epiphyseal cartilage continues to thin until it is fully ossified, eliminating space for further skeletal growth and resulting in the cessation of height increase. This is a normal physiological development phenomenon during the transition from adolescence to adulthood, marking skeletal maturity.

It should be noted that the timing of epiphyseal fusion varies among individuals, typically occurring earlier in girls than in boys. If children or adolescents show abnormally slow height growth, they should seek medical evaluation to assess epiphyseal development. Maintaining balanced nutrition and engaging in appropriate physical activity in daily life can support normal epiphyseal development, but these measures cannot alter the natural course of epiphyseal fusion. Methods claiming to delay or reverse epiphyseal fusion should not be trusted.

Related Articles

View All