Patient's question:
Hello, is the protrusion of the patella a sign of bone growth and maturation? If so, does it mean that height growth cannot continue?I started noticing the gradual protrusion of my patella at 16, and now it is quite noticeable. I am 19 years old, and since I was 15, my height hasn’t increased by even one centimeter. During puberty, due to dietary and lifestyle factors, I experienced severe malnutrition and fell ill frequently. Now I am only 160 cm tall.
Hello, can a doctor determine if I can still grow taller by examining the patella? What kind of help do you need? Thank you.
Doctor's answer:
Human growth and development reach maturity with many signs: such as the weakening of the Adam's apple in males and a deeper voice; the voice becoming sharper in females, and the clear development of secondary sexual characteristics. Height, however, is primarily determined by the growth of the epiphyses on both sides of the bones, followed by the growth of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. Therefore, it is not possible to determine if one can grow taller by looking at the kneecap. Once the epiphyses in the human body fuse, height is set in stone. The epiphyses are mainly located on both sides of long bones, such as the limbs. Thus, to understand how to grow taller, X-rays of joints near the epiphyses, such as the wrist joints, can be taken. As long as the epiphyses have not fused, there is still potential for growth.