Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Can Growth Of Bones Be Affected By Isotretinoine Usage?
Question: Just upon turning 17 years old i took a medicine for acne; isotretinoine. I believe it may have stunted my growth. Is there a way to tell by comparing bone lengths and their ratios among bones that would have fused by 17 or so with other ones that would not; such as the arm bones? I am trying to find out how much it stunted my growth.
Please confirm.
Please confirm.
Brief Answer:
Not possible to detect.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Now at the age of 38 so many years after taking isotretinoin it is nearly impossible to estimate the extent of growth of long bones that was retarded at that time. The growth of bones is affected by multiple factors including the diet exercise stress levels of hormones in the body etc. The expected size of bones is also difficult to detect to the accuracy of millimeters.
The ratio of size of long bones arms: legs also varies from individual to individual. There is no rational way by which we can detect the growth retardation now.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Not possible to detect.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Now at the age of 38 so many years after taking isotretinoin it is nearly impossible to estimate the extent of growth of long bones that was retarded at that time. The growth of bones is affected by multiple factors including the diet exercise stress levels of hormones in the body etc. The expected size of bones is also difficult to detect to the accuracy of millimeters.
The ratio of size of long bones arms: legs also varies from individual to individual. There is no rational way by which we can detect the growth retardation now.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is it possible that isotretinoin caused bone growth; and if so by how much? I took two one month courses for acne when turning 17.
Also when do the hand distal phalange growth plates close (compared to the near ones)?
Also can you tell at all; even something? Is there some way to find out? There must be a way by checking ratios (like upper to lower arm length)?
Also when do the hand distal phalange growth plates close (compared to the near ones)?
Also can you tell at all; even something? Is there some way to find out? There must be a way by checking ratios (like upper to lower arm length)?
Brief Answer:
Not likely to affect much.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The epiphyseal fusion of the bones causing stunted bone growth is seen at higher doses. Taking 10-20mg /day for 1-2 months is not likely to cause much difference.
The distal plates fuse within 6 months- 1 year of proximal plate fusion.
Checking the ratios of upper and lower arm will not help. The ratios are never fixed. These will come within 90 percentile of the normal limits and growth stunting cannot be diagnosed in this manner.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Not likely to affect much.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The epiphyseal fusion of the bones causing stunted bone growth is seen at higher doses. Taking 10-20mg /day for 1-2 months is not likely to cause much difference.
The distal plates fuse within 6 months- 1 year of proximal plate fusion.
Checking the ratios of upper and lower arm will not help. The ratios are never fixed. These will come within 90 percentile of the normal limits and growth stunting cannot be diagnosed in this manner.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
At approximately what age to the distal phallange finger plates fuse? At what age to the proximal phallange hand plates fuse?
Please advise.
André
Please advise.
André
Brief Answer:
12-14 years.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
These fuse at 12-14 years of age. The fusion may be late or earlier depending on the time of puberty.
Regards.
12-14 years.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
These fuse at 12-14 years of age. The fusion may be late or earlier depending on the time of puberty.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
In a male; when do the distal hand challenges fuse; and the proximal ones; and the foot ones?
Also when do the femurs fuse?
Also when do the femurs fuse?
Brief Answer:
Detaills below.
Detailed Answer:
The proximal and distal hand phalanges fuse between 14-21 years of age. There are many factors that regulate the fusion and it varies from individual to individual. The same is true for the foot phalanges.
The proximal end of femur fuses from 15.5-19.5 years. The distal end fuses between 14.5-22 years.
Regards.
Detaills below.
Detailed Answer:
The proximal and distal hand phalanges fuse between 14-21 years of age. There are many factors that regulate the fusion and it varies from individual to individual. The same is true for the foot phalanges.
The proximal end of femur fuses from 15.5-19.5 years. The distal end fuses between 14.5-22 years.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I read somewhere that hands fuse at 180 months give or take one year? Is this true? And that femurs fuse at around 20 or so?
Also how much bone age would a two month course of isotretinoin cause?
Would this mean I was an inch shorter; two inches; or perhaps closer to half an inch?
Please comment?
Also how much bone age would a two month course of isotretinoin cause?
Would this mean I was an inch shorter; two inches; or perhaps closer to half an inch?
Please comment?
Brief Answer:
Can't affect height in inches.
Detailed Answer:
Hand bones do start fusing at 15-16 years but it is a slow process. The complete fusion may take 2-3 years. Taking isotretinoin for just two months is not going to affect the bone growth by more than 1-2mm. Femurs also usually fuse by 18-20 years of age.
Please do not worry. Even if there has been any bone growth retardation it would not have affected your height by more than 1-2mm.
Regards.
Can't affect height in inches.
Detailed Answer:
Hand bones do start fusing at 15-16 years but it is a slow process. The complete fusion may take 2-3 years. Taking isotretinoin for just two months is not going to affect the bone growth by more than 1-2mm. Femurs also usually fuse by 18-20 years of age.
Please do not worry. Even if there has been any bone growth retardation it would not have affected your height by more than 1-2mm.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
