Hip physiolysis. Bilaterality in 62 cases followed for 20 years.

The frequency of bilateral physiolysis colli femoris was evaluated in 62 patients. At first admission, 5 patients had a bilateral slipping. Further, 9 patients had slipping diagnosed in the contralateral hip during adolescence 1-3 years after the primary operation. At the follow-up examination 22 years after the primary operation, radiographs showed bilateral sequelae of slipping in 30 of 62 patients. Of the nine slips diagnosed later during adolescence, one showed mild and two severe arthrosis. Among the 16 slips diagnosed at follow-up, mild arthrosis was found in four hips. We recommend bilateral pinning at first admission in all patients with a slipped capital femoral epiphysis.