Salter-Harris Type-III and Type-IV epiphyseal injuries were created in
the distal aspect of the femur in growing rabbits, and the healing process
was analyzed both in the absence of any treatment and after treatment with
anatomical reduction and fixation with compression with use of a cortical
screw. A sham operation was performed on the left knee, to create a control
group. Untreated Type-III injuries led to an angular deformity of the femur
that became more severe with time. In the group that had an untreated
Type-IV injury, a step-off developed on the articular surface and increased
with time. Early vascular anastomoses between the epiphysis and the
metaphysis preceded the formation of osseous bridges in these lesions. The
healing process in the animals that were treated with anatomical reduction
and rigid internal fixation occurred without the formation of osseous
callus, and no marked abnormalities were discernible in the physis.