Effect of growth zone injury on growth in the tibia of rabbits

Damaging the ossification centre of the proximal epiphysis of the tibia, the articular disc and the metaphysis of rabbits, the effect of injury on growth and the capacity for tissue regeneration during growth were studied radiologically and histologically. The injury penetrating into the metaphysis, directly damaging the articular disc gave rise to a more serious growth disturbance at the proximal end of the tibia than did the injury localized to the epiphyseal ossification centre. Tissue regeneration resulted in a richly vascularized granulation tissue in the injured region, with subsequent spongy bone formation. The hyaline cartilage did not regenerate.