The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 75, Issue 6 885-892, Copyright © 1993 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Straight-line graphs for the prediction of growth of the upper extremities
DT Bortel and JW Pritchett
Department of Orthopaedics, Hamot Medical Center, Erie, Pennsylvania 16550-0001.
A simple graphic method was used for the prediction of growth and the
determination of when a corrective procedure should be performed to
equalize the lengths of the upper extremities. Straight-line graphs,
similar to those described by Moseley for the lower extremities, were
constructed for the radius, ulna, and humerus. The data for the current
study were derived from a multidisciplinary, longitudinal study of growth
in 244 healthy children (123 boys and 121 girls)--from infancy to skeletal
maturity--and from previously constructed graphs depicting remaining
growth. The use of this method can simplify the planning of an equalization
procedure for an upper extremity.