Longitudinal growth of the distal fibula in children with slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

The longitudinal growth rates of the distal fibula were measured, using a roentgen stereophotogrammetric method, in 32 children treated for slipped capital femoral epiphysis and compared with growth rates in a series of normal children. The growth rates in patients were similar to the growth rates in normal children, in both boys and girls. However, at the time of slippage, 13 patients had a body height exceeding the normal value by greater than 1 SD, indicating an above-average growth rate before slippage. This pattern was found in one boy whose distal fibular growth rates were measured both before and after slippage. In conclusion, there are indications that the skeletal growth rate is slightly accelerated before slippage and more normal after slippage.