Growth Modulation by Stimulating the Growth Plate: A Pilot Study

Abstract

This study investigates the ability of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) or direct injection of recombinant growth hormone (rGH) to stimulate local growth of long bones. In a randomized controlled animal trial, healthy immature rabbits were allocated to 1 of the following 4 conditions: epiphyseal rGH periosteal injection, transdermal LIPUS, saline periosteal injection, or no treatment. New bone deposition was labeled with calcein at days 1 and 18, and microscopic measurements of growth were conducted by blinded observers. Statistically significant differences in growth were observed between the LIPUS and rGH stimulated legs compared with contralateral control legs (35% p = 0.04 and 41% p = 0.04, respectively); whereas no difference was observed between the 4 control groups (p = 0.37). There was no evidence of physeal bar formation, suggesting that direct injection of rGH and application of LIPUS around the distal femoral physis in rabbits may have a positive effect on microscopic growth without short-term adverse sequelae.

Keywords: Bone growth; Growth plate stimulation; LIPUS; Limb length; Noninvasive; Physis.