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Unilateral Heat Accelerates Bone Elongation And Lengthens Extremities Of Growing Mice, Maria A. Serrat, Thomas J. Schlierf, Morgan L. Efaw, Franklin D. Shuler, Justin Godby, Laura M. Stanko

Orthopaedics

Linear growth failure results from a broad spectrum of systemic and local disorders that can generate chronic musculoskeletal disability. Current bone lengthening protocols involve invasive surgeries or drug regimens, which are only partially effective. Exposure to warm ambient temperature during growth increases limb length, suggesting that targeted heat could noninvasively enhance bone elongation. We tested the hypothesis that daily heat exposure on one side of the body unilaterally increases femoral and tibial lengths. Mice (N = 20) were treated with 40 °C unilateral heat for 40 min/day for 14 days post-weaning. Non-treated mice (N = 6) served as controls. Unilateral …