Are babies really born without knee caps? No not really, but they don't start out with the knee caps we know as adults. Baby kneecaps are made of cartilage and develop into bone through ossification. Baby knee caps don't even show up on x-rays, they are very soft, flexible and actually pretty darn durable. With all of the crawling and the toddling that includes endlessly bumping them, baby's knees really are like pint size heavy duty shock absorbers. Ossification (cartilage hardening to bone) starts at about 3 years of age and continues until about age 6. What perfect timing for the process of ossification to start after the rugged, rough and tumble months of learning to crawl, stand and walk.
Posts
Yes, it sure is a good thing they go through all the crawling & falling before the ossification - Shock absorbers they are!
ReplyDelete=)
~Kim
Once again I learned something Annie!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend!
You know it ♥ Kim...it's crazy how baby can flop down on their knees...scurry across a hard tile or wood floor on them and bang them & bump them into just about everything they stand next to.
ReplyDeleteThanks ♥ Sharla - that makes me happy and feel good about posting these little tidbits of baby info. i'm glad i could help with the old..."learn something new everyday "thingy" :D