Chondrolysis complicating slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

In a detailed study of 249 patients, 329 cases who had slipped capital femoral epiphysis treated at the Campbell Clinic during the period from 1935 to 1973, chondrolysis was found in 79 hips in 71 patients (28.9%). The incidence of chondrolysis is correlated with the number of factors, including sex, race, chronicity and severity of displacement, and method of treatment. On the basis of biopsy observations upon 23 patients who had chondrolysis, the natural history of the disease includes self-perpetuating synovitis, and progresses with abnormal mechanical stress on the articular cartilage and the development of osteoarthritis.