Estimation of Age by Epiphyseal Union at Ankle Joint in Jaipur Region

Age is an important point usually noted for purpose of identification. The principle means from which a fairly accurate opinion regarding age may be given, especially in early years are teeth, secondary sex characters and ossification of bones. Due to the variations in climate, diet, heredity and other factors affecting the people of different states of India, it cannot be expected to form a uniform criterion of epiphyseal union for whole of India and more and more regional studies should be conducted. Among the epiphyseal union at different joints of long bones Ankle joint is comparatively less studied. The present study was conducted to explore the pattern of bony union at ankle joint in growing population of Jaipur region. A total of 100 individuals (55 boys and 45 girls) of age group 14–20 years were taken and their Xray was done in S. M. S. Hospital, Jaipur. It shows that complete union at Ankle joint in all females occurs at 16–17 years and all males’ shows complete union at Ankle joint in 17–18 years age.