Longitudinal sections stained with Toluidine blue without acid etching at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after implantation (A). Purple staining indicates cartilage at growth plate. Cross-sections stained with Sanderson’s Rapid Bone Stain at 1, 2 and 3 weeks following implantation (B). Mineralized bone is indicated by pink staining, marrow cells by light blue staining, and cartilage by dark blue staining. Note lack of cartilage around implant. Representative images of n=2–3 in (A) and n=9–10 in (B).