This study analysed the clinical and radiological outcome of
anatomical reduction of a moderate or severe stable slipped capital
femoral epiphysis (SCFE) treated by subcapital osteotomy (a modified
Dunn osteotomy) through the surgical approach described by Ganz. We prospectively studied 31 patients (32 hips; 16 females and
five males; mean age 14.3 years) with SCFE. On the Southwick classification,
ten were of moderate severity (head-shaft angle >
30° to 60°) and
22 were severe (head-shaft angle >
60°). Each underwent open reduction
and internal fixation using an intracapsular osteotomy through the
physeal growth plate after safe surgical hip dislocation. Unlike
the conventional procedure, 25 hips did not need an osteotomy of
the apophysis of the great trochanter and were managed using an
extended retinacular posterior flap. Aims
Patients and Methods
Controversy remains whether the contralateral
hip should be fixed in patients presenting with unilateral slipped capital
femoral epiphysis (SCFE). This retrospective study compares the
outcomes and cost of those patients who had prophylactic fixation
with those who did not. Between January 2000 and December 2010 a total of 50 patients
underwent unilateral fixation and 36 had prophylactic fixation of
the contralateral hip. There were 54 males and 32 females with a
mean age of 12.3 years (9 to 16). The rate of a subsequent slip
without prophylactic fixation was 46%. The risk of complications
was greater, the generic health measures (Short Form-12 physical
(p <
0.001) and mental (p = 0.004) summary scores) were worse.
Radiographic cam lesions in patients presenting with unilateral
SCFE were only seen in patients who did not have prophylactic fixation.
Furthermore, prophylactic fixation of the contralateral hip was
found to be a cost-effective procedure, with a cost per quality
adjusted life year gained of £1431 at the time of last follow-up. Prophylactic fixation of the contralateral hip is a cost-effective
operation that limits the morbidity from the complications of a
further slip, and the diminished functional outcome associated with
unilateral fixation. Cite this article:
We analysed the incidence of slipped capital
femoral epiphysis (SCFE) in South Australia, investigating possible associations
between an increased incidence of SCFE, the local indigenous population
and the Australian obesity epidemic during the last 20 years. Data
including race, age and gender were collected to obtain a profile
of the South Australian SCFE patient, and were then compared with
epidemiological data for South Australian adolescents. We concluded
that the incidence of both obesity and SCFE is increasing. We also
noted that the median weight of SCFE patients has increased and
the mean age at diagnosis has decreased. Despite weight profiles
comparable with those of the general population, we noted that an
indigenous child was three times more likely to develop SCFE than
a non-indigenous child. As far as we know there is no published
literature on the predisposition of Aboriginal Australians to SCFE.
1. By questionnaire, an attempt has been made to ascertain the characteristics of a hundred cases of slipping of the upper femoral epiphysis. 2. The principal object has been to see whether an etiological classification would be possible pending an assessment of the results of treatment. 3. Proper statistical analysis has proved impossible because of the incompleteness of the data. 4. As usual, boys predominated and were usually affected as much as three years older than the girls. 5. It was exceptional to find epiphysial slipping in a girl once she had begun to menstruate. 6. Nearly a quarter of the cases were bilateral, or became so after six to twenty-four months or more. 7. Little information came from an enquiry about dietary fads, the estimation of urinary ketosteroid excretion in twenty-three of the patients, or some minor pathological investigations. 8. No convincing evidence was found of skeletal retardation or of general thickening of epiphysial discs, such as might perhaps be expected in a hormonal disturbance characterised by defective epiphysial maturation. 9. From each child with the necessary data, indices of height, weight and build were ascertained, which would indicate his expectation of finding a place among a hundred physically normal children of his own sex and age, and, if so, where that place would be. From these studies four groups of children seemed to emerge: I) what may be called abnormally heavy children who would not find a place among a hundred, or somestimes a thousand, physically "normal" children of their own age and sex; 2) unusually heavy children who would find a place in the heaviest minority of the normal hundred; 3) a very small group of abnormally small people, among whom might be expected the subjects of pituitary infantilism; and 4) a large group of children of average physique for their sex and age. 10. From this information and from clinical evidence in the case returns, it appeared that a quarter of the assessable boys and nearly two-thirds of the assessable girls showed evidence of endocrine defect, quite apart from those who were merely unusually fat. 11. By distinguishing these two groups of children from a third group of constitutionally "normal," an attempt has been made to see whether there is any correlation between evident endocrine defect and such characteristics as bilateral affection, delayed epiphysial maturation, a history of relevant injury and its nature, and sudden or gradual epiphysial slipping. 12. No relationship was established between any of these characteristics and endocrine type: bilateral affection was no commoner in the endocrine group; delayed maturation was not demonstrated in either; a history of relevant injury was equally common, and its nature identical, in both; slipping might be sudden or gradual in either indiscriminately. 13. There was a history of seemingly relevant injury in half the patients, and it was much commoner with sudden slipping than with gradual slipping. Sudden slipping was often preceded by symptoms of gradual slipping, or sudden slipping of one epiphysis was sometimes followed by gradual slipping of the other. 14. In gradual slipping the cardinal symptoms were pain and limp, usually starting synchronously and gradually; the pain was usually intermittent and referred much more often to the hip than the knee; the limp was usually continuous. 15. Of signs, demonstrable wasting seemed to be absent as often as present, but shortening was usual. Lateral rotation deformity was usually present, adduction often, and flexion sometimes. In more than a third of the cases limitation of movement was slight enough to be easily missed. 16. The radiographic observations confirmed the seeming widening at the affected epiphysial disc, the greater displacement revealed by the lateral view, and the difficulty of identifying avascular necrosis before collapse. 17. Treatment was delayed in thirty-four casesâa third of the whole; the reasons have been analysed; diagnostic failure was the cause in nineteen. 18. A few cases outside the series have been mentioned briefly because of special points of interest: slipping in gross pituitary diseaseâin pituitary giantism, and(at the age of thirty-three) in pituitary hypogonadism; slipping with defect of the opposite lower limbâinfantile paralysis of the leg, and Legg-CalveÌ-Perthes disease of the hip; familial affectionâslipping in two brothers. 19. The results of treatment in the present cases, supplemented by others, have been studied by Dr John Hall and related to some of the clinical features. His paper appears separately.
We describe three cases of infantile tibia vara
resulting from an atraumatic slip of the proximal tibial epiphysis
upon the metaphysis. There appears to be an association between
this condition and severe obesity. Radiologically, the condition
is characterised by a dome-shaped metaphysis, an open growth plate
and disruption of the continuity between the lateral borders of
the epiphysis and metaphysis, with inferomedial translation of the
proximal tibial epiphysis. All patients were treated by realignment
of the proximal tibia by distraction osteogenesis with an external
circulator fixator, and it is suggested that this is the optimal
method for correction of this complex deformity. There are differences
in the radiological features and management between conventional
infantile Blount’s disease and this ‘slipped upper tibial epiphysis’
variant.
Eight slipped upper femoral epiphyses in patients who had had radiotherapy are described. These cases involved five patients in an "at risk" population of 48. This increased incidence is highly significant.
1. During the past twenty-five years there have been admitted to this orthopaedic service twelve children or adolescents having a close relative who previously or subsequently developed slipped upper femoral epiphysis. This represents an incidence of approximately 7 per cent. 2. There is some evidence that the incidence is considerably higher. 3. In addition to those with close relations also with slipped epiphysis, two patients had parents with osteoarthritis of the hip. 4. I believe, therefore, that in slipped upper femoral epiphysis there is evidence of a genetic defect. This is probably due to a recessive gene of low penetrance. The frequency in this region is high because the north-east of Scotland has very definite geographical boundaries and the rural, agricultural population, from which the majority of these cases were drawn, has formed until recently a stable community likely to show a greater than average incidence.
1. Epiphysial tilt commonly precedes slipping. 2. This tilt is due to a diminished or arrested growth from compression of the back of the epiphysial plate. 3. The stresses on the upper end of the femur are such that the upper femoral epiphysial plate is peculiarly liable to compression. 4. A primary abnormality of the cartilage of the epiphysial plate renders it susceptible to the effect of compression. 5. Because this abnormality is diffuse, deformities due to a similar pathology may be found elsewhere, notably in the spine.
1. A series of eighty-one hips with slipped upper femoral epiphysis in sixty-three patients is reviewed. 2. The importance of early diagnosis is emphasised. 3. Conservative treatment is condemned. 4. In attempting reduction violent manipulation and strong traction must be avoided. 5. In cases of slight displacement pinning in the position of displacement gives the best results. 6. Three or four small pins are recommended for fixation. 7. When the amount of slip is 50 per cent or more of the diameter of the head gentle manipulation should be tried and, if successful, followed by fixation with three or four pins. 8. The hip with an irreducible slip of 50 per cent or more should be treated by pertrochanteric or subtrochanteric osteotomy.
1. One hundred and seventy-three hips in 138 patients have been examined and studied in reference to the type of treatment received. 2. Shepherd's method of assessing the results of arthroplasty operations has been adapted to this series. 3. Satisfactory results were found in 77·9 per cent of all patients. 4. The value of straight longitudinal traction is questioned. Medial rotation appears to be an essential step in the reduction of the deformity. 5. Manipulation was found to be a relatively safe and effective method of reducing the deformity in patients seen soon after an acute episode, and should be reserved for them. 6. Complications were common after nailing operations, and included subtrochanteric fracture in three cases. 7. Avascular necrosis was the commonest cause of a poor result. The two types of avascular necrosis are discussed. 8. Avascular necrosis was found in 37 per cent of cases in which a manipulation was followed by a nailing operation. 9. Avascular necrosis was not found in any case in which a manipulation was combined with the use of Moore's pins, but such cases were kept under observation for a shorter time. 10. Avascular necrosis was found in 38·1 per cent of cases of cervical osteotomy.
Fixation by a single screw is considered the current treatment of choice for a slipped capital femoral epiphysis. This approach promotes premature physeal closure. The use of a modified, standard, single, cannulated screw designed to maintain epiphyseal fixation without causing premature closure of the physis was reviewed in ten patients. The nine boys and one girl aged between 10.6 and 12.6 years with unilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), were markedly skeletally immature (Tanner stage I, bone age 10 to 12.6 years). Clinical and radiological review at a mean follow-up of 44.3 months (36 to 76) showed no difference in the time to physeal closure between the involved and uninvolved side. Measurement of epiphyseal and physeal development showed continued growth and remodelling in all patients. Use of this device provided epiphyseal stability and maintained the capacity for physeal recovery and growth following treatment for both unstable and stable slipped capital femoral epiphysis.
Evidence is presented to support the contention that after slipping of the upper femoral epiphysis there is a potential for the bony epiphysis to grow back to its pre-slipped position. A suggestion is made as to how this recovery may occur.
The pathogenesis of slipped upper femoral epiphysis is unknown but the condition has been linked with various endocrine disorders. Nine patients with slipped epiphyses in association with primary juvenile hypothyroidism are presented. In all patients, slipping occurred or symptoms developed in the affected hip before the hypothyroidism was diagnosed. A generalised pathology was suggested by the absence of trauma (8 patients), by bilateral slipping (6 patients), and by obesity and short stature in all patients. All cases had delayed skeletal maturation and characteristic metaphysial changes were seen on their radiographs. The clinical diagnosis of juvenile hypothyroidism can be difficult but it merits consideration in patients who have a slipped upper femoral epiphysis in association with short stature, obesity, delay in skeletal maturity, or any one of these.
1. The results of thirty-five acutely slipped upper femoral epiphyses, treated from 1950 to 1969, are presented. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head occurred in five cases. 2. Skin traction with medial rotation, followed in three to four days by internal fixation, without further manipulation, is recommended so that this iatrogenic complication may be avoided.
This series, albeit consecutive and unselected, is very small; conclusions must therefore be tentative. The results do however suggest that the dangers of late manipulative reduction properly performed may have been exaggerated. Attempted without undue force it proved a harmless procedure, often successful even in cases of long duration. When it succeeds, the results in slips of unacceptable degree are at least as good as those following the more major surgical procedures, which can thus be avoided. Even when the displacement is minor its correction should on theoretical grounds at least decrease the prospects of later osteoarthritis. The only absolute contra-indication is a fused epiphysial plate. The degree of slip and above all the duration of symptoms should not preclude an attempt at manipulative reduction.
Several authors have reported complications from screw removal after treatment of slipped upper femoral epiphysis by single screw fixation, and have attributed these to poor screw design. We have developed a simple and reliable method of screw removal which uses a cannulated 8.0 mm end-threaded cancellous screw (Smith &
Nephew Richards Medical, Memphis, Tennessee) and a specially designed cannulated trephine. The method has been successful, with minimal complications, and a limited surgical exposure.
In an unselected series of 55 cases of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) we observed an incidence of 25% of epiphyseal reduction, mostly unintentional. Reduction indicated physeal instability and was associated with an effusion, detected by sonography on admission, and inability to bear weight. The true prevalence of instability may be higher since an effusion was noted in 33 cases (60%) on the initial sonographic assessment. Serial radiographs showed reduction in 12 (22%), with an average change of 15.1 degrees in the head-neck angle. Serial sonography showed reduction in 7 out of 20 cases (35%), with an average change of 3.7 mm in displacement. In two cases reduction was seen on sonography but not on radiography. Of the hips which showed subsequent reduction, 12 had had a bone scan on admission; three showed initial epiphyseal avascularity but only one progressed to symptomatic avascular necrosis. All stable hips had normal epiphyseal vascularity on the initial bone scan. This indicates the importance of injury from the initial displacement in causing avascular necrosis, rather than effusion, vascular compromise or iatrogenic injury from gentle repositioning. Physeal instability in SCFE is common and should be assessed clinically on admission. It is indicated by joint effusion or inability to bear weight. A slip is very unlikely to be unstable in a child able to bear weight and with no sonographic effusion.
We reviewed the long-term results of the treatment of slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) using realignment procedures in 36 patients (37 hips) at an average follow-up of 33.8 years (26 to 42). There were serious short-term complications in seven of the 22 hips treated by subcapital osteotomy, three of the 11 hips treated by intertrochanteric osteotomy and three of the four hips treated by manipulative reduction. At re-examination, the clinical and radiological results were excellent or good in 41% of the hips treated by subcapital osteotomy, in 36% treated by intertrochanteric osteotomy and in none treated by manipulative reduction. In all, seven hips (19%) had had arthrodesis or total hip replacement. The natural history of SUFE was probably not improved by any of the treatments used in our study. We therefore discourage the use of subcapital and intertrochanteric osteotomy as well as manipulative reduction in the primary treatment of chronic SUFE.
1. A case is reported of a girl aged fifteen with growth hormone deficiency who developed a slip of the left femoral capital epiphysis at the age of seventeen during human growth hormone therapy. 2. The epiphysiolysis is regarded as iatrogenic.
Aims. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) has demonstrated faster administration, lower burden of data capture and reduced floor and ceiling effects compared to traditional Patient Reported Outcomes Measurements (PROMs). We investigated the suitability of PROMIS Mobility score in assessing physical function in the sequelae of childhood hip disease. Methods. In all, 266 adolscents (aged ≥ 12 years) and adults were identified with a prior diagnosis of childhood hip disease (either Perthes’ disease (n = 232 (87.2%)) or
Aims.
Aims.
The February 2024 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup360 looks at: Hip impingement after in situ pinning causes decreased flexion and forced external rotation in flexion on 3D-CT; Triplane ankle fracture patterns in paediatric patients; Improved forearm rotation even after early conversion to below-elbow; Selective dorsal rhizotomy and cerebral palsy (CP) hip displacement; Abduction bracing following anterior open reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip does not improve residual dysplasia or reduce secondary surgery; 40% risk of later total hip arthroplasty for in situ slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) pinning; Does brace treatment following closed reduction of developmental dysplasia of the hip improve acetabular coverage?; Waterproof hip spica casts for paediatric femur fractures.
Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing (MoM-HR) has seen decreased usage due to safety and longevity concerns. Joint registries have highlighted the risks in females, smaller hips, and hip dysplasia. This study aimed to identify if reported risk factors are linked to revision in a long-term follow-up of MoM-HR performed by a non-designer surgeon. A retrospective review of consecutive MoM hip arthroplasties (MoM-HRAs) using Birmingham Hip Resurfacing was conducted. Data on procedure side, indication, implant sizes and orientation, highest blood cobalt and chromium ion concentrations, and all-cause revision were collected from local and UK National Joint Registry records.Aims
Methods
We aimed to assess the cumulative risk of total hip arthroplasty (THA) from in situ fixation for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) after a follow-up of almost 50 years. In this study, 138 patients with 172 affected hips treated with in situ fixation were evaluated retrospectively. A total of 97 patients (70%) were male and the mean age was 13.6 years (SD 2.1); 35 patients (25%) had a bilateral disease. The median follow-up time was 49 years (interquartile range 43 to 55). Basic demographic, stability, and surgical details were obtained from patient records. Preoperative radiographs (slip angle; SA) were measured, and data on THA was gathered from the Finnish National Arthroplasty Register.Aims
Methods
A. R. Nguyen, J. Ling, B. Gomes, G. Antoniou, L. M. Sutherland, P. J. Cundy.
The December 2023 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup360 looks at: A comprehensive nonoperative treatment protocol for developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants; How common are refractures in childhood?; Femoral nailing for paediatric femoral shaft fracture in children aged eight to ten years; Who benefits from allowing the physis to grow in slipped capital femoral epiphysis?; Paediatric patients with an extremity bone tumour: a secondary analysis of the PARITY trial data; Split tibial tendon transfers in cerebral palsy equinovarus foot deformities; Liposomal bupivacaine nerve block: an answer to opioid use?; Correction with distal femoral transphyseal screws in hemiepiphysiodesis for coronal-plane knee deformity.
The aims of the study were to report for a cohort aged younger than 40 years: 1) indications for HRA; 2) patient-reported outcomes in terms of the modified Harris Hip Score (HHS); 3) dislocation rate; and 4) revision rate. This retrospective analysis identified 267 hips from 224 patients who underwent an hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) from a single fellowship-trained surgeon using the direct lateral approach between 2007 and 2019. Inclusion criteria was minimum two-year follow-up, and age younger than 40 years. Patients were followed using a prospectively maintained institutional database.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to inform the epidemiology and treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). This was an anonymized comprehensive cohort study, with a nested consented cohort, following the the Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long-term study (IDEAL) framework. A total of 143 of 144 hospitals treating SCFE in Great Britain participated over an 18-month period. Patients were cross-checked against national administrative data and potential missing patients were identified. Clinician-reported outcomes were collected until two years. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected for a subset of participants.Aims
Methods
Highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) has greatly improved the durability of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in young patients because of its improved wear characteristics. Few studies have followed this population into the second decade, and therefore the purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the clinical outcome for THA patients 50 years of age and younger at a minimum of 15 years postoperatively. The second purpose was to evaluate the radiological findings secondary to wear or mechanical failure of the implant. Between October 1999 and December 2005, 105 THAs were performed in 95 patients (53 female, 42 male) aged 50 years and younger (mean 42 years (20 to 50)). There were 87 patients (96 hips) that were followed for a minimum of 15 years (mean 17.3 years (15 to 21)) for analysis. Posterior approach was used with cementless fixation with a median head size of 28 mm. HXLPE was the acetabular bearing for all hips. Radiographs were evaluated for polyethylene wear, radiolucent lines, and osteolysis.Aims
Methods
The aims of this study were to evaluate the abductor function in moderate and severe slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), comparing the results of a corrective osteotomy at the base of the femoral neck and osteoplasty with 1) A total of 24 patients (mean age 14.9 years (Aims
Patients and Methods
High-quality clinical research in children’s orthopaedic surgery
has lagged behind other surgical subspecialties. This study used
a consensus-based approach to identify research priorities for clinical
trials in children’s orthopaedics. A modified Delphi technique was used, which involved an initial
scoping survey, a two-round Delphi process and an expert panel formed
of members of the British Society of Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery.
The survey was conducted amongst orthopaedic surgeons treating children
in the United Kingdom and Ireland.Aims
Methods
This study presents the long-term survivorship, risk factors for prosthesis survival, and an assessment of the long-term effects of changes in surgical technique in a large series of patients treated by metal-on-metal (MoM) hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA). Between November 1996 and January 2012, 1074 patients (1321 hips) underwent HRA using the Conserve Plus Hip Resurfacing System. There were 787 men (73%) and 287 women (27%) with a mean age of 51 years (14 to 83). The underlying pathology was osteoarthritis (OA) in 1003 (75.9%), developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in 136 (10.3%), avascular necrosis in 98 (7.4%), and other conditions, including inflammatory arthritis, in 84 (6.4%).Aims
Patients and Methods
This study aimed to evaluate implant survival of reverse hybrid
total hip arthroplasty (THA) at medium-term follow-up. A consecutive series of 1082 THAs in 982 patients with mean follow-up
of 7.9 years (5 to 11.3) is presented. Mean age was 69.2 years (21
to 94). Of these, 194 (17.9%) were in patients under 60 years, 663
(61.3%) in female patients and 348 (32.2%) performed by a trainee.
Head size was 28 mm in 953 hips (88.1%) or 32 mm in 129 hips (11.9%).
Survival analysis was performed and subgroups compared using log
rank tests.Aims
Patients and Methods