[Total hip replacement after slipped capital femoral epiphysis]

BACKGROUND

Total hip replacement (THR) is at present an accepted treatment in patients with severe osteoarthritis of the hip after slipped capital femoral epiphysis. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the results of THR in patients suffering from secondary osteoarthritis, operated from 1987 to 2004 in the Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Department of Poznan University of Medical Sciences.

MATERIAL

Material included 16 patients, 9 females and 7 males, on whom 18 THR were performed, lateral approach was used in all cases. At the time of operation, the age of patients ranged from 32 to 70 years (mean 50). THR was carried out after 33 years afterwards slippage of capital femoral epiphysis. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 23 years (mean 11 years). The operative treatment was a multistage process (during one operation only one joint was replaced). Cemented total hip arthroplasty was used during 5 of the THR, 13 of them were cementless.

METHOD

The patients were clinically and radiologically evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, and at final examination. The clinical state was evaluated with Harris hip score and WOMAC scale. We based our radiological examination on Hip Society system.

RESULTS

The average preoperative Harris score for the group of patients was 32, WOMAC score 74. After an average of 11-years follow-up all hips were considered excellent, with average Harris score of 91, WOMAC Score of 6. All patients had increased function and decreased pain. The radiograms of all patients revealed that the acetabular and femoral components were correctly positioned with no radiographic evidence of loosening in the last examination. The inclination angle of the acetabular component was 22-49 degrees (mean: 36 degrees) and the acetabular opening angle was 0-10 degrees (mean: 4 degrees). The stem was valgus-oriented in 1 hip, and neutral-oriented in 17 hips. No ectopic ossification concentrations were found.

CONCLUSION

. Clinical and radiological evaluation of our material showed that total hip replacement in the treatment of osteoarthritis secondary to slipped capital femoral epiphysis allows regaining good lower limb function, which helps the patients staying less dependant on the surrounding environment. The results of THR are good regardless of the type of prosthesis and the type of fixation. Importantly, THR was carried out after a quite long time after slippage of capital femoral epiphysis.

In situ pinning with arthroscopic osteoplasty for mild SCFE: A preliminary technical report

BACKGROUND

There is emerging evidence that even mild slipped capital femoral epiphysis leads to early articular damage. Therefore, we have begun treating patients with mild slips and signs of impingement with in situ pinning and immediate arthroscopic osteoplasty. DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUES: Surgery was performed using the fracture table. After in situ pinning and diagnostic arthroscopy, peripheral compartment access was obtained and head-neck osteoplasty was completed.

METHODS

Between March 2008 and August 2009, three male patients (age range, 11-15 years; BMI, 22-31 kg/m(2)) presented with slip angles between 15º and 30º. All were ambulatory without assistance but had 2 to 12 weeks of hip and/or knee pain, limited motion and a positive impingement test. Postoperatively, patients were assessed at 6 weeks; 3 and 6 months; then every 6 months for the first two years. Hip motion, epiphyseal-metaphyseal offsets and alpha angles were determined. Patients completed the UCLA activity scale at latest followup that ranged from 6 to 23 months.

RESULTS

Arthroscopic evaluation revealed labral fraying, acetabular chondromalacia, and a prominent metaphyseal ridge. At last followup, each was pain-free and had returned to unrestricted activities. Hip motion improved in all and none demonstrated clinical impingement. Radiographs showed normalized epiphyseal-metaphyseal offsets and alpha angles.

CONCLUSIONS

In situ pinning with arthroscopic osteoplasty can limit impingement after mild slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Due to limited followup, we are unable to say whether this protocol reduces subsequent articular damage. Although we recommend performing these procedures concomitantly, they can be performed in a staged fashion, especially since hip arthroscopy following an epiphyseal slip can be challenging.

MRI morphometry, cartilage damage and impaired function in the follow-up after slipped capital femoral epiphysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess rotation deficits, asphericity of the femoral head and localisation of cartilage damage in the follow-up after slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Magnetic resonance imaging studies were obtained in adult patients with a history of SCFE. A total of 35 hips after SCFE in 26 patients (mean age 24.1 +/- 6.5, mean follow-up 11.9 +/- 6.1 years) were evaluated. The control group comprised 20 healthy hips from 10 young adults with an average age of 23.9 +/- 3.7 years. The MR protocol included a T1-weighted sequence with a 3D volumetric interpolated breath-hold sequence and a radial 2D proton density-weighted sequence around the femoral neck. Images were evaluated for alpha angle and cartilage damage in five positions around the femoral head. Hip function was evaluated at the time of MRI and correlated with MRI results. Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

In the hips after SCFE alpha angles were significantly increased in the anterosuperior (74.1 degrees +/- 18.8 degrees ) and superior (72.5 degrees +/- 21.5 degrees ) positions and decreased in the posterior position (25.0 degrees +/- 7.2 degrees ). Cartilage damage was dominant in the anterosuperior and superior positions. Impaired rotation significantly correlated with increased anterosuperior, superior and posterosuperior alpha angles.

CONCLUSION

The data support an anterosuperior and superior cam-type deformity of the femoral head-neck junction in the follow-up after SCFE. MRI after SCFE can be used to assess anterosuperior and superior alpha angles, since the anterior alpha angle by itself may underestimate asphericity and is not associated with rotation deficits.

[Risk factors of osteonecrosis of the femoral head following slipped capital femoral epiphysis]

Osteonecrosis is a serious complication of the treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. The purpose of this study was to identify factors predisposing to the development of this complication. We reviewed retrospectively 127 patients (150 hips) treated for slipped capital femoral epiphysis in our institution between 1980 and 2004. Clinical and radiological data were analyzed before and after treatment, and at consecutive follow-up examination. Osteonecrosis was defined in the basis of radiological criteria. The risk of development of osteonecrosis was correlated with multiple clinical and radiographic parameters.

RESULTS

12 hips in 11 patients (8%) had development of osteonecrosis. Ten of them had an unstable slip. From 130 stable hips, regardless of grade, two had development of osteonecrosis. In patients who had presented with an unstable hip, the risk of osteonecrosis increased with the grade of the slip. Osteonecrosis was more likely to develop in hips that had been treated with multiple screws than in those who had been treated with a single screw. In conclusion, partial or complete reduction of an unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis increases the risk of development of osteonecrosis. Pinning in situ without reduction with a single screw is the method of choice of the treatment of a slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Delayed-onset slipped capital femoral epiphysis: case report of association with pituitary tumor

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is an affliction of the hip presenting in adolescent children. There are several theories regarding the pathological cause of SCFE. The hormonal milieu during adolescence, combined with a deficiency in the physeal area of the growth plate, has been postulated as a possible etiology for its specific onset. In atypical circumstances, the early or late onset of SCFE may occur in the setting of unusual hormonal influences. This hormonal imbalance may be secondary to an underlying endocrinopathy-for example, hypothyroidism or hypogonadism. In this case, our patient presented with a clinically and radiographically unstable slip at the age of 22 years. His physical characteristics, along with confirmatory laboratory values and radiographs, indicated that the patient suffered from a disorder of delayed secondary growth. Subsequent thorough work-up revealed a large benign pituitary tumor that was causing severe panhypopituitarism. This article describes the presentation, diagnostic work-up and treatment of our patient with a delayed-onset SCFE in the setting of a pituitary tumor.

Remodelling of the femoral head after proximal femoral osteotomy for avascular necrosis associated with slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Avascular necrosis is the most devastating complication associated with slipped capital femoral epiphysis. In this case report, we present the clinical and radiological outcome of two patients after proximal femoral osteotomy for avascular necrosis associated with slipped capital femoral epiphysis. The Iowa hip score was used to assess the function. Periodic radiographic observations showed no progression of the collapse, and bone remodelling of the necrotic femoral head. Our evaluation of patients who underwent proximal femoral osteotomy for avascular necrosis prior to collapse of the femoral head suggests that its use resulted in acceptable clinical outcome with bone remodelling of the necrotic area (Fig. 4, Ref. 16).

Review of the management outcome of slipped capital femoral epiphysis and the role of prophylactic contra-lateral pinning re-examined

INTRODUCTION

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is the most common hip problem in the adolescent age group. It can involve both hips, presenting itself bilaterally at first presentation or sequentially. The overall incidence of bilateral disease is variable, but the risk of occurrence is higher when there is underlying endocrinopathy, renal disease and obesity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Amongst the 36 cases (44 hips) of slipped capital femoral epiphysis that we had, there were 8 cases of bilateral disease, of which 3 were bilateral sequential slips. A retrospective review of all case records and X-rays was done.

RESULTS

According to Aadalen's criteria, the results were excellent or good in 37 hips, fair in 3 hips, and poor in 2 hips. Two patients were considered as treatment failure because of avascular necrosis. The incidence of bilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis was 22.2%. The overall average age was 11.4 years. All cases of sequential involvement presented within 15 months of the initial slip. One patient had hypothyroidism (who also had a positive family history for slipped capital femoral epiphysis), while 91.6% were above the 75th percentile for weight. There was no statistically significant difference in age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI) and weight percentile distribution between patients with unilateral and bilateral disease.

CONCLUSION

Satisfactory outcomes can be expected in most patients treated for slipped capital femoral epiphysis. The risk of avascular necrosis is higher in unstable slips. The role of prophylactic contra-lateral pinning should be restricted to patients with hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis disease, especially hypothyroidism.

Avascular necrosis in acute and acute-on-chronic slipped capital femoral epiphysis

This study reviews the factors affecting the development of avascular necrosis (AVN) after slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Seventy-three patients (n=73) with ninety-two (n=92) hips were included in the study. Out of these 92, 16 were acute, 43 acute-on-chronic, 29 chronic, and four were preslips. Postoperative radiographs showed a reduction in 18 (19.5%) slips. The mean preoperative slip angle was 32 degrees (range 9-76) compared with the postoperative slip angle of 29.9 degrees (range 10-75 degrees ) (P=0.004). Four patients developed AVN. Our results showed that intraoperative reduction of the slip (P<0.001) was significantly related to the development of AVN and was also associated with poor functional outcome.

Evaluation of radial-sequence imaging in detecting acetabular labral tears at hip MR arthrography

OBJECTIVE

In recent years, radial imaging has been advocated for improved visualization of the acetabular labrum in magnetic resonance arthrography of the hip. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether radial imaging demonstrates labral tears not visible on standard imaging planes.

METHODS

Fifty-four consecutive magnetic resonance (MR) arthrograms of the hip that included radial imaging over 2 years were retrospectively analyzed by two radiologists. Standard imaging planes and radial imaging were reviewed for identification of labral tears in four specific areas of the labrum: anterosuperior, posterosuperior, anteroinferior, and posteroinferior. The standard imaging sequences include fat-saturated spin-echo T1-weighted images in the coronal and oblique axial planes, non-fat-saturated T1-weighted images in the coronal and sagittal planes, and T2-weighted sequence in the axial plane. Radial imaging was performed as previously described using fat-saturated T1-weighted sequences.

RESULTS

Using standard imaging planes, 50 anterosuperior, 31 posterosuperior, 10 anteroinferior, and 9 posteroinferior labral tears were detected in 54 MR arthrograms of the hip. Using radial sequences alone, 44 anterosuperior, 25 posterosuperior, 9 anteroinferior, and 5 posteroinferior labral tears were detected. In all four areas of the labrum, the radial imaging did not show any labral tear not seen on standard imaging planes.

DISCUSSION

In MR arthrography of the hip, radial imaging did not reveal any additional labral tears. Standard imaging planes sufficiently demonstrate all acetabular labral tears.

[Chondrofibrosis of adolescent hip]

Authors present 420 hips with slipped capital epiphysis treated in the IOHB "Banjica", during the period between 1970 and 2005. Research includes the analysis of incidence, diagnostics and causes which contribute to the genesis of hip chondrofibrosis. Risk factors are shown, as well as the approach to eliminate them. 39 hips in which this complication occured were individually analyzed. Every hip was separately studied with intent to determine the cause of the condition's genesis, it's evolution, treatment and it's final functionality result. Synovia biopsy was performed in 7 cases, as well as the biopsy of the capsule, articular hyaline cartilage and subchondral bone of the femoral head, which enabled detailed description of both microscopic and macroscopic changes that follow this condition. Regardless of still hypothetical comprehension of the inception of chondrofibrosis, authors clearly state all the risky procedures during treatment that can contribute to the development of chondrofibrosis. The importance of early diagnostics and well-timed treatment are highlighted in this article, for they are crucial. Results of treated hip chondrofibrosis presented here give hope for the destiny of the ill joint, which was considered highly uncertain for a long time.

[Results of the treatment of the distal femoral epiphysiolysis]

INTRODUCTION

Distal femoral epiphysiolysis (DFE) is rare. In most of the cases it occures as an open epiphysiolysis. In the past DFE had often resulted in a tissue necrosis and required an amputation. Among complications limb shortening due to premature epiphyseal closure and deviation of the limb axis are evidenced.

AIM

This study was conduced in order to evaluate the results of the treatment of DFE.

MATERIAL

Eight children suffering from DFE who had undergone a treatment between 1990 and 2005 were reviewed. The mean age at the time of injury was 15.3 years. All cases of epiphysiolysis have been classified as Salter-Harris type II. The treatment consisted of reduction and 6 weeks immobilisation in 3 cases. Reduction followed by K-wire stabilization and immobilisation was applied in all other cases.

METHODS

The follow-up evaluation covered a clinical and roentgenographic examination. The angular deformmity of tibia was measured in saggital and frontal plane in comparison to intact side. The range of motion and stability of both knee joints were recorded as well. The comparative X-ray pictures of the femur and knee joint were taken in A-P and lateral positions.

RESULTS

The study revealed a premature closure of the injured distal femoral epiphysis in four children. There was a limb shortening of over 2 cm in 3 cases and over 3cm in one case.

CONCLUSION

The distal femoral epiphysiolysis is a rare type of injury. It often leads to leg length discrepancy.

[Factors influencing the development of avascular necrosis in non-operative treatment of the acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis]

INTRODUCTION

The acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis can result in development of avascular necrosis of the femoral head which is very difficult condition to treat. Orthopedic surgeon can influence the development of avascular necrosis.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective in our study was to identify factors influencing the development of avascular necrosis in nonoperative treated patients for the acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

METHOD

A total of 53 patients and 59 hips treated for the acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis at the Institute for Orthopedic Surgery,Banjica" between 1968-2004 were studied. Necessary data were obtained from the accurate medical records.

RESULTS

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head was diagnosed in 8 patients (13.56%). Six of them (75%) were treated by manipulative reduction in general anesthesia and spica cast immobilization. Fischer test, used for statistical data processing, found significant difference between two non-operative methods of treatment (p = 0.0008).

CONCLUSION

Higher-degree epihyseal displacement as well as complete separation of the physis and metaphysis were found to be the risk factors of avascular necrosis. Every manipulation with the affected hip was also associated with higher percentage of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

Bilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis: predictive factors for contralateral slip

The primary goal in treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is to prevent further slip by stabilizing the physis. Debate exists concerning prophylactic fixation of the uninvolved hip at presentation. Our goal was to determine predictive factors for a contralateral slip after presentation with a unilateral SCFE. Ninety patients with SCFE and complete radiographs were followed up until the bilateral closure of the proximal femoral physis. Chronological age at presentation, sex, and race were recorded. Open or closed triradiate cartilage was recorded, and a modified Oxford bone age assessment was performed. Twenty patients (22%) had bilateral SCFE at presentation, and 70 patients (78%) were unilateral. Of these 70 patients, 16 (23%) later developed a contralateral SCFE. Analysis revealed that chronological age was the only significant (P = 0.010) predictor for developing a contralateral slip. All girls younger than 10 years and all boys younger than 12 years who presented with unilateral SCFE developed a contralateral slip. Twenty-five percent of girls younger than 12 years and 37% of boys younger than 14 years developed a contralateral slip. No girl older than 13 years and no boy older than 14 years developed a contralateral slip in our series. Surgical complications were infrequent and isolated to the side of the initial SCFE. Chronological age is a predictor for a contralateral slip in patients presenting with a unilateral SCFE. The authors recommend that all girls younger than 10 years and all boys younger than 12 years presenting with unilateral SCFE should undergo strong consideration for prophylactic screw fixation on the contralateral side. In older age groups, prophylactic treatment may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

[Complications of slipped capital femoral epiphysis]

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is well known disorder of the hip in adolescents, which is characterized by displacement of the capital femoral epiphysis from the metaphysis through the physeal plate. The incidence of slipped capital femoral epiphysis is about 5-8 cases per 100,000 adolescents. Etiology of slipped capital femoral epiphysis is still unknown, but this disorder is probably combination of genetic, hormonal and mechanical factors. On the basis of patient's history, physical examination, and radiographs, slipped capital femoral epiphysis can be classified as acute or chronic. Two most severe complications of slipped capital femoral epiphysis are avascular necrosis and chondrolysis. Avascular necrosis is more commonly associated with the acute slips when the lateral epiphyseal vessels are disrupted. In chronic slips, avascular necrosis can occur as a result of treatment. Chondrolysis or cartilage necrosis can occur in untreated slips, but is often associated with spica cast imobilization or penetratation of the internal fixation screws into the joint space. The final outcome of avascular necrosis and chondrolysis is extremly poor for a patient. Therefore, the baseline of management of slipped capital femoral epiphysis is treatment by adequate techniques that have high rate of success with minimal risk of complications.

[The effect of slip grade and chronicity on the development of femur avascular necrosis in surgically treated slipped capital femoral epiphyses]

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the relationship between the grade and chronicity (acute-chronic) of the slip and the development of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head after surgery for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE).

METHODS

The study included 424 hips of 269 patients (174 boys, 95 girls; mean age 12 years) who underwent surgery for SCFE and had a minimum follow-up period of one year. The patients were classified according to the severity and chronicity of the slipping using the Southwick classification. The relationship of the slip severity and chronicity with the development of AVN was statistically evaluated.

RESULTS

Involvement was unilateral in 114 patients, and bilateral in 155 patients. The mean follow-up period was 32.9 months. The hips were classified as grade I to II in 267 hips (63%), 120 hips (28.3%), and 37 hips (8.7%), respectively. The symptoms were acute in 130 hips (30.7%), and chronic in 294 hips (69.3%). The incidence of AVN was 4.5% (19 hips; 13 in unilateral cases, 6 in bilateral cases). In logistic regression analysis, a strong correlation was found between the grade of the slip and the development of AVN (odds ratio 10.27; p<0.0001). The acute nature of the slip was also correlated with the development of AVN, but this relation was weaker (odds ratio 0.20, p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

A strong correlation is present between the slipping grade and the development of AVN in SCFE, requiring a closer observation of patients having a high grade slipping in terms of AVN risk. The acute nature of the symptoms represents another risk factor for AVN.

Abductor length alterations in hips with SCFE deformity

Proximal femoral osteotomy may improve clinical outcomes in patients with residual deformity after slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Whether this procedure improves abductor mechanics is not well established. We hypothesized that abductor lengths would be shorter in patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis compared with normal controls, and a femoral neck base osteotomy would create more normal abductor lengths than an osteotomy performed below the greater trochanter. Abductor muscle lengths were measured in normal, mild, and severe slipped capital femoral epiphyses sawbone models and after two methods of surgical correction. We observed decreases in abductor lengths in patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis compared with normal controls when positioned in greater than 45 degrees flexion. There were fewer differences in abductor lengths after femoral neck base osteotomies than after subtrochanteric osteotomies. The femoral neck base osteotomy approximated normal abductor lengths more closely than the subtrochanteric osteotomy. The femoral neck base osteotomy restored the hip abductor relationship better than an osteotomy performed below the greater trochanter. We did not address the question of whether this improved relationship directly influenced function.

[Intertrochanteric femoral fractures in children]

Based on two cases and a review of the literature, we describe a rare injury in childhood, intertrochanteric femoral fracture. Because of the insertion and traction of muscles at the proximal femur, conservative treatment is difficult. The hip muscles pull the proximal fragment into flexion, abduction and external rotation. In our opinion, surgical stabilization is the therapy of choice. We use an angular stable, locking compression plate for the stabilization of these fractures. Postoperatively, mobilization with full weight bearing is possible.

Relationship between Body Mass Index and slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is the most common hip disorder of adolescents and is known to be strongly associated with obesity. The use of Body Mass Index (BMI) as an assessment of obesity has been shown to be a very efficient technique. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has recently developed BMI-for-age percentile growth charts that have been shown to effectively evaluate obesity in the pediatric population. In the current study, the investigators provide a retrospective review, looking at the association between SCFE and obesity based on BMI. One hundred six subjects with radiographically diagnosed SCFE were compared with 46 controls without radiographic evidence of SCFE. In the SCFE group, 81.1% of individuals had a BMI above the 95th percentile; for the control group, the corresponding figure was only 41.3% (P < 0.0001). Multiple linear regression analysis controlling both for sex and age confirmed an equally significant difference (P < 0.0001) between SCFE patients and controls with regard to BMI. Based on pediatric obesity criteria designating a weight above the 95th percentile as obese and a weight between the 85th and 95th percentile as "at risk" for obesity, clinicians can use BMI to define obesity, a highly modifiable risk factor for SCFE. Early intervention and lifestyle modifications may reduce the incidence of not only SCFE but other illnesses related to obesity as well.

Consequences of diagnostic delays in slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Delay in diagnosis of slipped capital femoral epiphysis has important implications with regard to slip severity and long-term hip outcomes. The aims of this review were to identify the incidence of delayed diagnosis of slipped capital femoral epiphysis in the hospital to which the authors are affiliated, and the causes for such delays. A retrospective review was conducted of all patients admitted to the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide between January 1997 and October 2004 with a diagnosis of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. The inpatient and outpatient medical records for each patient were analysed to clarify the history of presentation and identify those patients with a delayed diagnosis. All radiographs were reviewed and the severity of the slip graded according to Southwick's classification. One hundred and two patients were included in this review, of which 20 had a delayed diagnosis and 25 a late presentation. Of the 20 (19.6%) patients who had a delayed diagnosis in this series, a minimum of 2 weeks elapsed between presentation to a health professional and diagnosis of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Eight patients had seen their local doctor but the diagnosis was not made. The remaining 12 patients with delayed diagnosis had not seen a medical practitioner and had self-referred to a chiropractor or a physiotherapist. All of these patients underwent hip manipulation prior to diagnosis. There was a significant relationship between delay in diagnosis and an increased slip severity, when compared with both the remainder of this series and the late presentation group. Knee or distal thigh pain in slipped capital femoral epiphysis remains the commonest pitfall in diagnosis for local doctors, as well as mild slips being missed on radiograms by inexperienced surgeons or radiologists. An increasing presentation of adolescents with this disorder to allied health professionals for initial management warrants a broader education strategy than has been previously advocated. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis remains an enigmatic disorder; consequently delayed diagnosis of this condition is not likely to disappear. Despite this, the medical community must strive toward early diagnosis through continued education and vigilance.

Transphyseal fracture-separation of the femoral capital epiphysis: a true SCFE of traumatic origin

Acute traumatic transphyseal fracture of the capital femoral epiphysis is a rare but serious injury. The injury is typically inflicted by a severe trauma. Because of the vulnerability and predisposed anatomy of the femoral epiphysis in relation to its blood supply, the fracture has been designated to have poor prognosis with inevitable osteonecrosis and eventual deformity of the hip. We report a case of such fracture in a 13-year-old child in view to highlight some of the anticipated problems in the management of such injury.