What does "unfused distal epiphyses of the radius and ulna" mean?

Sep 26, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen Jian
Introduction
In general, ununited distal epiphyseal plates of the ulna and radius refer to a condition in which the growth plates at the distal ends of the ulna and radius have not yet fully closed. It is important to protect the wrist in daily life, avoiding severe impacts or excessive strain to prevent epiphyseal injury that could affect normal bone growth. If symptoms such as wrist pain, swelling, or restricted movement occur, prompt medical evaluation is recommended. Regular monitoring of skeletal health is also advised.

Under normal circumstances, ununited distal ulnar and radial epiphyseal plates refer to the state in which the growth plates at the distal ends of the ulna and radius have not yet fully closed. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Ununited distal ulnar and radial epiphyses commonly occur in children and adolescents, as the skeletal system is still undergoing growth and development during this stage. The epiphysis is a cartilaginous structure at the end of long bones responsible for bone growth. With increasing age, the epiphyses gradually ossify and fuse with the diaphysis, at which point skeletal growth ceases. During childhood and adolescence, the distal epiphyses of the ulna and radius have not yet completed ossification and fusion, thus appearing open—this is a normal manifestation of physical growth, indicating that the bones still have growth potential and arm length may continue to increase.

In daily life, it is important to protect the wrist from severe impacts or excessive strain to prevent epiphyseal injury that could disrupt normal bone development. If symptoms such as wrist pain, swelling, or restricted movement occur, medical evaluation should be sought promptly. Regular monitoring of skeletal health is recommended to track epiphyseal closure status and provide reference for assessing growth and development.