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Rebound growth after hemiepiphysiodesis may be
a normal event, but little is known about its causes, incidence
or factors related to its intensity. The aim of this study was to
evaluate rebound growth under controlled experimental conditions. A total of 22 six-week-old rabbits underwent a medial proximal
tibial hemiepiphysiodesis using a two-hole plate and screws. Temporal
growth plate arrest was maintained for three weeks, and animals
were killed at intervals ranging between three days and three weeks
after removal of the device. The radiological angulation of the proximal
tibia was studied at weekly intervals during and after hemiepiphysiodesis.
A histological study of the retrieved proximal physis of the tibia
was performed. The mean angulation achieved at three weeks was 34.7° (standard
deviation (. sd). 3.4), and this remained unchanged for the
study period of up to two weeks. By three weeks after removal of
the implant the mean angulation had dropped to 28.2° (. sd. 1.8)
(p <
0.001). Histologically, widening of the medial side was
noted during the first two weeks. By three weeks this widening had
substantially disappeared and the normal columnar structure was
virtually re-established. In our rabbit model, rebound was an event of variable incidence
and intensity and, when present, did not appear immediately after
restoration of growth, but took some time to appear. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:862–8