A case of growth transformation in unexercised limb bones.

Abstract

The unexercised limb bones of a male patient with hydrocephalus, who had been bedridden for 16 years, were observed and measured in order to examine growth transformation and growth direction. Although length growth was not markedly disturbed, transverse growth and the thickness of periosteal deposition were delayed. These findings confirmed that stress is necessary for growth of bone thickness. No differences in the circumference and area of the medullary cavity were evident between this subject and the femora of the average adult male, in spite of the delayed thickness growth. Therefore it was considered that lack of exercise disturbs the thickness growth of bone, but does not disturb bone resorption in the medullary cavity.