Research Progress on the Regulation of Growth Plate Endochondral Ossification by Mechanical Loading

The endochondral ossification of the growth plate is crucial for the longitudinal growth of long bones. Mechanical loading plays an important regulatory role in endochondral ossification. Absence or improper mechanical loading can inhibit growth plate development, while moderate mechanical stimuli promote chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation, thereby facilitating long bone growth. Mechanosensitive structures, such as primary cilia, mechanosensitive ion channels, integrins, and the cytoskeleton, play key roles in the regulation of mechanical loading. This review summarizes how mechanical loading influences growth plate endochondral ossification and discusses potential underlying mechanisms, offering theoretical insights for the management and research of bone development disorders in children and adolescents.