[In situ pinning on slipped femoral capital epiphysis with a single cannulated screw].

BACKGROUND

Slipped femoral capital epiphysis requires immediate surgical intervention. Because this condition is relatively rare, the diagnosis is frequently delayed in patients with complaints of knee and hip pain and limping. Middle term results of patients who were diagnosed early and treated with a single cannulated screw are evaluated.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Five hips of 4 patients (3 male, 1 female) with slipped femoral capital epiphysis treated with a single cannulated screw between the years of 2000-2003 were evaluated under the light of literature findings.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 13 (range 12-14) years; mean slip angle was 33.2 degrees (range 26 degrees -40 degrees ); mean body mass index was 27.3 kg/m2 (range 25.6-29.8 kg/m2 ). After immediate immobilization, internal fixation with a single screw was applied without any reduction.

CONCLUSION

During the mean follow-up period of 24 months (range 12- 41) epiphysial slipping progression was not observed and new epiphysial slipping did not develop on the contralateral hips. We are of the opinion that intervention for slipped femoral capital epiphysis with a single cannulated screw is a beneficial treatment. Although the number of our cases is limited we believe a close follow-up of the hip without prophylactic pinning should be the preferable alternative.