Correlation of slipped capital femoral epiphysis with disk degeneration.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spinal osteoarthritis is greater in patients with known hip pathology secondary to alterations in spinopelvic geometry. To our knowledge, no study has investigated the long-term impact of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) on the spine.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between SCFE and the presence of degenerative disk disease and facet arthrosis.

STUDY

DESIGN

An anatomic study of disk degeneration in cadaveric lumbar spines with SCFE.

METHODS

An observational study was performed on 25 cadaveric specimens with SCFE and 647 controls that were identified out of 3100 total cadaveric specimens in an osteological collection. The specimens were evaluated for disk degeneration and facet arthrosis at L1/2 to L5/S1 using the classification of Eubanks and colleagues. Linear regression analyses were then used to determine the relationship between SCFE and lumbar disk and facet degeneration at each level, correcting for confounding factors such as age, sex, and race.

RESULTS

Linear regression demonstrated a significant association (P<0.01) that was found between SCFE and degenerative disk disease at all levels from L1/2 to L5/S1. In addition, a significant association (P<0.01) was found between SCFE and facet arthrosis at all levels from L1/2 to L5/S1.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study show a relationship between SCFE and lumbar disk degeneration and facet arthrosis. This relationship may prove useful in predicting the course of spinal osteoarthritis in patients with SCFE.