Growth plates

Hi,
I am a 14 year old male that resently had a shoulder and elbow injury due to pitching.  The doctor said that the xrays showed that my shoulder and elbow growth plates have closed!!!  Does this mean that I will not get any taller?  I am 5ft 7 inches.  My dad is 5ft 8inches and my mom is 5ft 3 inches?  Thanks!

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

All bones have a range of 1-2 years when they are expected to fuse. Growth plate fusion and bone maturation is a gradual process that begins before birth and continues to ones 20’s. Fusion of growth plate of specific bones occurs in everybody around the same time +/- 1 year and fusion of the growth plate of a few bones does not mean the fusion of all bones in the body. Aside bone growth, the total growth is dependent on a number of other factors as well and growth may continue beyond a pubertal growth spurt, though this tends to be slower. The average height of boys can be calculated by (Father's Height + Mother's Height + 13) / 2; by this formula you are definitely expected to put on a few more centimeters. Men can grow upto 18-21 years of age, though relatively slower after a pubertal growth spurt.
Hope this was helpful.

Take care!