A typical separations of the distal femoral epiphysis was observed in a six-month-old infant with clinical and roentgenographic signs of scurvy. One year later, apparent premature union of the central portion of the epiphysis with the shaft was observed and subsequent growth disturbance was documented when the child was four years of age. At twenty-two years, however, almost complete recovery from the growth disturbance had occurred without compensatory overgrowth of other areas, and with only minor alterations in the configuration of the affected bone. Apparently, a transitory slowing or arrest of endochondral ossification had taken place in the central portion of the epiphysis and metaphysis with subsequent resumption of normal and accelerated growth, which resulted in restoration of nearly normal dimensions. In such a "ball-in-socket" epiphysis-shaft junction, closure of the plate may be apparent and not real. Careful serial studies are necessary before considering epiphyseodesis on the healthy side.