We studied the pattern of proximal femoral growth after severe Perthes' disease (Catterall grade III or IV) by retrospective analysis of serial radiographs in 52 hips (46 patients). Our aim was to determine the relationship between proximal femoral growth abnormalities and metaphyseal cysts, epiphyseal extrusion, physeal narrowing, and extensive epiphyseal necrosis. The average follow-up after treatment was 9.8 years (range 4 to 16 years), and 37 of the hips were followed to skeletal maturity. Slowing of proximal femoral growth was common: symmetrical abnormality was seen in 26 hips and asymmetrical abnormality in nine. However, definite premature closure of the proximal femoral physis was seen in only three hips. Abnormality seemed to be due to altered growth velocity rather than to bar formation in most cases. Metaphyseal cysts, epiphyseal extrusion and physeal narrowing during the active stage of the disease, alone or in combination, were found to be neither sensitive nor specific predictors of the subsequent growth pattern.
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a common hip disorder in adolescence and should be diagnosed and treated surgically as soon as possible. The etiology, biomechanical, biochemical and hereditary factors are still under investigation. The classification of SCFE is based on the acuteness, clinical and radiomorphological findings. Avascular necrosis of the epiphysis (AVN) and chondrolysis occur more often in operated than in non-operated patients. Medium and long-term sequelae of SCFE are loss of function and degenerative joint disease due to femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) or consequences from complications such as AVN and chondrolysis. For mild slips the long-term prognosis is better than for moderate or severe slips. Higher grade unstable SCFE may benefit from reduction while in chronic slips corrective osteotomy may be indicated. Traditional osteotomy procedures, such as Imhäuser or Southwick intertrochanteric osteotomy are safe procedures but correct the deformity distant from the site of the deformity. The surgical dislocation with modified Dunn osteotomy according to Ganz allows the preparation of an extended retinacular soft tissue flap and offers an extensive subperiosteal exposure of the circumference of the femoral neck before reducing the slipped epiphysis anatomically. In cases of FAI due to mild deformities restoration of the head-neck offset via hip arthroscopy or surgical dislocation should be considered before higher grade cartilage damage occurs.
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