Quick question on growth plates

[Tommy Coyote]

Just exactly what is meant by waiting until the plates close? Is that the plates in the skull?

 

I've heard that phrase a lot but just realized I'm not sure whay people mean by plates.

[Blackdawgs]

These are the growth plates at the ends of the long bones in the legs.

[Tommy Coyote]

Oh, well that makes a lot more sense than the plates of the skull.

[mum24dog]

Most bones have growth plates, not just the long bones, and they close at different times when the bones in question stop growing.

[OurBoys]

^{Here's a chart that might help.}

^{http://mysite.verizon.net/vze826tz/id18.html}

[Gideon's girl]

A growth plate is the region on each bone where growth takes place and if growth plates are damaged the bone will cease to grow or grow abnormally. That's why it is a big deal to protect them until the dog is full grown.

[Tommy Coyote]

Hey, thanks. I didn't know all that stuff. How interesting.