[Experimental study on the role of the growth cartilage around the greater trochanter in the growth of the proximal femur].

An experimental study was carried out to clarify the role of the growth plate around the greater trochanter in the growth of the proximal femur. Four-week-old rabbits were grouped into five. The lateral half of the trochanteric growth plate was resected in Group 1, the growth plate of the apophysis of the greater trochanter was resected in Group 2, the gluteus medius and minimus muscles were dissected from the trochanter in Group 3, the anterior half of the trochanteric growth plate was resected in Group 4, and the posterior half of the same growth plate was resected in Group 5. The length of the femur was the same in all groups, but the neck shaft angle increased in Group 1 and decreased in Group 3. The growth of the trochanter was inhibited in Group 1 and 2. The retroversion of the femoral neck was decreased in Group 3 and increased in Group 4. These results indicate that surgery to the growth cartilages around the greater trochanter influences the growth of the proximal femur, and suggest a usefulness of resection of the growth plate of the apophysis in prevention of the growth of the trochanter.