Increased Hip Intracapsular Pressure Decreases Perfusion of the Capital Femoral Epiphysis in a Skeletally Immature Porcine Model.

BACKGROUND

Increased intracapsular hip pressure is thought to be one of the possible etiologies of femoral head avascular necrosis after intra-articular proximal femoral fractures or acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between intra-articular hip pressure (IAP) and epiphyseal perfusion pressure (EPP), and its dependency on skeletal maturity using a porcine model.

METHODS

Seven female Yorkshire-hybrid pigs were used to study the direct relationship between IAP and EPP. A needle inserted into the capsule provided both IAP monitoring and saline infiltration until IAP was above mean arterial pressure (MAP). Video simultaneously documented IAP, EPP, MAP. Parameters for all trials in each hip were averaged and compared between the 2 age groups. Significance was P<0.05.

RESULTS

Four young hips (in pigs 10.3±1.0 wk, 27.4±2.0 kg) and 5 older hips (21.1±0.1 wk, 89.4±7.1 kg) were studied. There was no significant difference in the MAP (50.0±11.8 and 55.5±7.0 mm Hg respectively, P=0.411) between the 2 age groups. In the older hips, biphasic EPP persisted despite increasing IAP to an average of 177 mm Hg over MAP. In the young pigs, the biphasic EPP waveform ceased with increased IAP to an average of 28 mm Hg over MAP. Biphasic waveforms returned once IAP fell to an average of 5 mm Hg over MAP.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased IAP resulted in tamponade of epiphyseal perfusion in the young, but not in the older hips. An intact physis may preclude intraosseous metaphyseal vessels from penetrating the epiphysis, leaving it vulnerable to retinacular artery tamponade.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The IAP and EPP relationship has direct clinical practice implications. Hip capsulotomy and decompression in young patients with intra-articular proximal femoral fractures and increased intracapsular pressure may decrease avascular necrosis risk.