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Hip

OUTCOMES FOLLOWING SUB-CAPITAL OSTEOTOMY FOR SEVERE SLIPPED UPPER FEMORAL EPIPHYSIS

The British Hip Society (BHS)



Abstract

Introduction

Slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) predominantly affects males in early adolescence. Severe slips occur with an estimated incidence of 1 per 100,000 children. Controversy exists over optimal treatment of severe slips with debate between in-situ fixation versus corrective surgery. We report on our management of a large series of such patients using a sub-capital cuneiform osteotomy.

Patients/Methods

Between 2001–2011, 57 patients (35M: 22F) with an average age of 13.1 years were referred to our tertiary referral institution with a severe slip. This was defined as an epiphyseal-metaphyseal displacement greater than half the width of the femoral neck on a Billing lateral radiograph. The affected limb was rested in slings and springs prior to corrective surgery which was performed via an anterior Smith-Petersen approach. More recently our series has included pre-operative MRI to look for avascular necrosis of the epiphysis. Data was analysed to compare complication rate with time to surgery and surgeon's experience.

Results

50 patients (88%) were complication free at a mean follow up of 7 years and their average Oxford Hip Score was 44 (range: 37–48) and median visual analogue pain score was 0 (out of 10). 6 patients (10.5%) developed AVN requiring further surgery and one patient developed chondrolysis (1.8%) but declined further intervention. Complication rate was closely related to time to surgery with 100% AVN rate for surgery within 1 weeks of symptoms onset or 5–7% thereafter. A learning curve was identified with fewer complications seen as the series progressed.

Discussion/Conclusion

This is a technically demanding operation with variable outcomes reported in the literature. We have demonstrated good results but feel it should be reserved for specialist centres exposed to higher volumes of these rare cases.