Introduction
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Chondrodiatasis involves a slow (approximately 0.5 mm per day) stretching of the growth plate without fracture. This stretching intensifies the biosynthetic activity of cartilage cells, resulting in accelerated osteogenesis (Aldegheri et al., 1989a).

FIG. 1.9, 1.10. Photomicrographs of the distal femoral epiphysis in the rabbit. Increased height of the metaphyseal zone with slight hyperplasia of bridging cartilage at 14 days of chondrodiatasis (left); epiphyseal plate with regular thickness and normal cellular morphology at 70 days of chondrodiatasis (right); Azan-Mallory, x40. Reproduced with permission from De Bastiani G. et al. Limb lengthening by distraction of epiphyseal plate. A comparison of two techniques in rabbits. J Bone Joint Surg 1986;68-B:545-548.

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