Slipped capital femoral epiphysis: current management strategies

Novelties in slipped capital femoral epiphysis imaging: A narrative review

Rationale and objectives

Imaging plays a key role in Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis diagnosis and severity assessment. In the last two decades, signs and measurements emerged in literature showed potential to help in SCFE diagnosis and tailoring treatment. The purpose of this review is to collect and discuss new imaging signs, measurements, and techniques according to investigations published after 2000 to improve SCFE diagnosis.

Material and methods

The PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct databases were used to search for relevant articles related to imaging in SCFE diagnosis from January 2000 to March 2023. Article selection and review was performed by two board-certified radiologists). Article quality assessment were conducted by authors using QUADAS-2 and SANRA evaluation tools.

Results

The research resulted in a total of 2577 articles. After duplicates removal and abstract analysis, 28 articles were finally selected for full-text analysis. Seventeen articles were focused on Radiographs, 6 on CT, 1 on both Radiographs and CT, 4 on MRI. No study focused on ultrasound was selected.

Conclusions

Use of modified Klein's line and S-sign may improve radiographs accuracy in daily routine. Lucency sign may help in early diagnosis on radiographs. Preoperative CT may be useful in planning a tailored treatment predicting SCFE severity and instability. MRI is the most accurate modality to diagnose SCFE at early stage. Nevertheless, it cannot be used to predict the risk of contralateral SCFE. Risk prediction can be assessed with radiographs, using a new rapid mOBS. Further investigation and validation of these sign is needed.

The clinical value of preoperative 3D planning and 3D surgical guides for Imhäuser osteotomy in slipped capital femoral epipysis: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Accurate repositioning of the femoral head in patients with Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) undergoing Imhäuser osteotomy is very challenging. The objective of this study is to determine if preoperative 3D planning and a 3D-printed surgical guide improve the accuracy of the placement of the femoral head.

METHODS

This retrospective study compared outcome parameters of patients who underwent a classic Imhäuser osteotomy from 2009 to 2013 with those who underwent an Imhäuser osteotomy using 3D preoperative planning and 3D-printed surgical guides from 2014 to 2021. The primary endpoint was improvement in Range of Motion (ROM) of the hip. Secondary outcomes were radiographic improvement (Southwick angle), patient-reported clinical outcomes regarding hip and psychosocial complaints assessed with two questionnaires and duration of surgery.

RESULTS

In the 14 patients of the 3D group radiographic improvement was slightly greater and duration of surgery was slightly shorter than in the 7 patients of the classis Imhäuser group. No difference was found in the ROM, and patient reported clinical outcomes were slightly less favourable.

CONCLUSIONS

Surprisingly we didn't find a significant difference between the two groups. Further research on the use of 3D planning an 3D-printed surgical guides is needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Approval for this study was obtained of the local ethics committees of both hospitals.

Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis in Adolescents: Evolving Information on Its Mode of Presentation and Management

Background and objective Slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) is one of the most common hip pathologies in adolescents and pre-adolescents, the diagnosis of which is often missed due to delayed presentations. In this study, we aimed to conduct a retrospective analysis of SUFE cases treated in the hospital during the 15-year period from 2003 to 2018 and examine its bilateral presentation and the need for prophylactic pinning on the unaffected side. Methods This retrospective cohort study involved cases that were treated from 2003 to 2018. The case details were retrieved from the medical records department. Records older than 15 years were excluded owing to their inaccuracy, and 26 cases of SUFE were included in the final analysis. Each case was subjected to physical and radiological examinations of the symptomatic and asymptomatic hips. IBM SPSS Statistics v23 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used for data analysis. Results In this study, six of the 26 patients had bilateral SUFE and required subsequent surgical pinning. The duration of surgical interventions ranged from two to 22 months, while the mean intervention duration was 10.3 months. Among the cases, 61.5% (p<0.05) were idiopathic in nature upon documentation. However, 19% (p<0.05) of the cases were shown to be associated with an underlying condition or prior symptoms of the condition, whereas 7.6% (p<0.05) had an increased basal metabolic index; 11% (p<0.05) of the cases had an inherited family history of SUFE. A comparison between males and females showed a slightly higher frequency of complications in males (n=14) than in females (n=12) (p=0.556). The age of the patients at the presentation ranged between and 10-15 years, with an average age of 12.5 years. Conclusion Based on our findings, males were affected more than females and most of the cases were idiopathic. There is no significant evidence to support the need for prophylactic pinning of the unaffected hip. We recommend prospective studies with a larger sample of patients to gain more insight into the topic.

Clinical Diagnosis of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis in a Child With Negative Radiological Findings: A Case Report

Slipped capital femoral epiphyses (SCFE) is considered to be a very common disorder among adolescent age group. Multiple risk factors have been reported such as obesity, endocrine disorders, vitamin D deficiency, and panhypopituitarism. The diagnosis of SCFE is important especially in its early stages as this would prevent complications and delay in surgical intervention. The diagnosis is mainly done by radiological imaging and clinical evaluation. However, clinical evaluation is often overlooked. Herein, we present a case of a seven-year-old with SCFE that was diagnosed late due to negative radiological imaging and received late surgical intervention. Therefore, it is recommended that orthopedic surgeons use their clinical sense and examination skills to diagnose SCFE promptly, in order to maintain a short follow-up window to prevent any delay in surgical management and to observe for any progression, even if the radiological findings are normal.

Mid-term results of subcapital realignment of chronic slipped capital femoral epiphysis using surgical hip dislocation: a prospective case series

BACKGROUND

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) requires surgical treatment when diagnosed. The surgical management of moderate to severe SCFE remains an area of controversy among pediatric orthopedic surgeons. The severity of slippage, the viability of the femoral epiphysis, and the method of surgical management determine the long-term clinical and radiographical outcome. This study sought to evaluate the mid-term results of subcapital realignment of chronic stable slipped femoral epiphysis with open physis using surgical hip dislocation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was a prospective case series of adolescents with moderate or severe degrees of chronic SCFE who had undergone subcapital osteotomy using the surgical hip dislocation technique. The Harris Hip Score (HHS) was used to assess functional outcomes at 6 years of follow-up. A HHS of ≥ 80 points was considered satisfactory. Postoperative radiological outcomes were evaluated using epiphyseal-shaft angles and alpha angles. Postoperative complications were observed.

RESULTS

This study included 40 patients, 32 (80%) males and 8 (20%) females, with a mean age of 14.1 ± 1.8 years. There was a statistically significant improvement in the mean HHS from 45 ± 12.3 preoperatively to 91.8 ± 11.6 points at 6 years of follow-up. The mean epiphyseal-shaft angle reduced from 60.5 ± 15.3° preoperatively to 10.3 ± 2.4° postoperatively, P < 0.001. The mean alpha angle reduced from 72.5 ± 10.1° preoperatively to 40.4 ± 6.4°, P < 0.001. Four (10%) patients showed femoral head avascular necrosis (AVN).

CONCLUSIONS

Subcapital realignment of chronic SCFE can achieve satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes, but femoral head AVN remains a risk. Level of evidence Level IV.

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis Managed by Ganz Safe Surgical Dislocation of Hip: A Case Report with 2 Years Follow-up

Introduction

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is commonly managed by in situ screw fixation. However, higher grades of slips require restoration of normal anatomy of the femoral head without compromising the blood supply.

Case Report

A 16-year-old adolescent male presented with the left hip pain and progressive limping for 4 days with no history of previous trauma. On examination, the patient had severe tenderness and gross restriction of movements. Radiological examination revealed Grade 2 acute on chronic SCFE with unstable slip. Modified Dunn procedure through Ganz surgical hip dislocation facilitated the complete restoration of normal anatomy without avascular necrosis of femoral head changes at 2 years of follow-up.

Conclusion

Ganz safe surgical dislocation of the hip is safe for the femoral head, preserving its blood supply in toto and the modified Dunn procedure facilitated the complete restoration of normal anatomy even in acute on chronic type of SCFE cases.

Is a Femoro-Acetabular Impingement Type Cam Predictable after Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis?

(1) Background: Previous studies have proven a high incidence of a femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI) type cam in patients sustaining a slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). Thus, the current study analyzed, if a cam deformity is predictable after SCFE treatment; (2) Methods: 113 cases of SCFE were treated between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2017. The radiological assessment included the slip angle after surgery (referenced to the femoral neck (epiphyseal tilt) and shaft axis as Southwick angle) and the last available lateral center edge angle (LCEA), the acetabular- and alpha angle. A correlation was performed between these parameters and the last alpha angle to predict a FAI type cam; (3) Results: After a mean follow-up of 4.3 years (±1.9; 2.0-11.2), 48.5% of the patients showed a FAI type cam and 43.2% a dysplasia on the affected side. The correlation between the epiphyseal tilt and alpha angle was statically significant (p = 0.017) with a medium effect size of 0.28; (4) Conclusions: The postoperative posterior epiphyseal tilt was predictive factor to determine the alpha angle. However, the cut-off value of the slip angle was 16.8° for a later occurrence of a FAI type cam indicating a small range of acceptable deviations from the anatomical position for SCFE reconstruction.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis: an epidemiological Nationwide study in Italy from 2001 to 2015

BACKGROUND

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (epiphysiolysis of the femoral head, SCFE) is the most common pediatric hip disease in 10-14 years old children. The most used procedure to correct a stable form of SCFE is in situ pinning. Instead, the proper treatment for unstable forms is controversial. The first purpose of this study was to estimate annual admissions for SCFE in Italian patients from 2001 to 2015, basing on the hospitalization reports. The second aim was to assess the difference between regions regarding SCFE procedures. Lastly, a statistical prediction of the volume of SCFE procedures performed in Italy based on data from 2001 to 2015 was performed.

METHODS

Data of this study were collected from the National Hospital Discharge Reports (SDO) reported at the Italian Ministry of Health regarding the years of this paper. The yearly number of hospital admission for SCFE, the percentage of males and females, the average age, days of hospitalization, primary diagnoses and primary procedures in the whole Italian population were calculated using descriptive statistical analyses.

RESULTS

From 2001 to 2015, 4893 hospitalizations for SCFE were recorded in Italy, with a mean incidence of 2.9 (cases/100.000 inhabitants). The majority of patients treated by SCFE were males (70.6%).

CONCLUSION

National health statistics for SCFE are attractive for an international audience, as different approaches to screening are reported between countries. These differences allow comparing outcomes internationally. Moreover, sharing national statistics and correlating those to other countries protocols, could be helpful to compare outcomes for different procedures internationally. However, further studies are required to understand the specific reasons for regional variation for SCFE procedures in Italy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Total hip arthroplasty in patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis: a systematic analysis of 915 cases

There is limited evidence on the outcomes of Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) in Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) patients. This systematic review aims to evaluate the current literature in terms of survival rate, functional outcomes, complications and types of implants of THA in SCFE patients. Following the established methodology of PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Cochrane library, ScienceDirect and Ovid MEDLINE were systematically searched from inception to September 2018. The search criteria used were: (“total hip arthroplasty’’ OR ‘’total hip replacement’’ OR “hip arthroplasty’’ OR ‘’hip replacement’’) AND (‘’slipped capital femoral epiphysis’’ OR ‘’slipped upper femoral epiphysis’’ OR ‘’femoral epiphysis’’). Ten studies were finally included in the analysis and were qualitatively appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa tool. Variables were reported differently between studies. The sample size varied from 12 to 374 THAs. A total of 877 patients undergone 915 THAs. The mean reported follow-up ranged from 4.4 to 15.2 years and the mean patients’ age at the time of THA from 26 to 50 years. Four studies specified the type of implants used, with 62% being uncemented, 24% hybrid (uncemented cup/cemented stem) and 14% cemented. All but three studies reported the mean survival of implants that ranged from 64.9% to 94.8%. A limited number of complications were mentioned. There was a tendency for more favorable functional outcomes in modern studies. Modern THA-studies in SCFE patients showed improvement of survivorship, clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Future higher-quality studies are necessary to estimate long-term postoperative outcomes better.

Epiphyseal Angulation and Related Spatial Orientation in Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: Theoretical Model and Biomechanical Explanation of Varus and Valgus Slip

The management of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is controversial. Surgical decision-making is based regularly on the chronicity, stability, and severity of the slip. The purpose of this study was to determine the true angulation and spatial orientation of the epiphysis in hips with SCFE and contralateral hips.

METHODS

Eighteen hips in 18 patients with SCFE were included in the analysis. Trigonometric calculations, based on angle measurements using 2 conventional radiographs in planes that are perpendicular to each other, were used to determine the angulation of the epiphysis and its orientation in space.

RESULTS

The mean absolute epiphyseal obliquity of the SCFE hips was 56.2° and the spatial orientation was 36.5°. The mean obliquity of the contralateral side was 34.0°, with a related spatial orientation of 16.8°. The maximum error can reach up to 9.9° (or 41%) when comparing the calculated angles with the angle measurements on radiographs.

CONCLUSIONS

On standard radiographs, the epiphyseal angulation in SCFE is consistently underestimated. As a consequence, the assigned classification of some patients may be 1 severity group too low, which impacts the value of traditional severity classification for surgical decision-making. The analysis of the spatial orientation of the slip with the concomitant direction of the resultant shear can partially explain varus and valgus slip in SCFE.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Diagnostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Predicting subsequent contralateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis: an evidence-based approach

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for developing a subsequent contralateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) and provide a prediction score to quantify risk of subsequent slip at the time of initial presentation.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients that presented with a unilateral SCFE between 2006 and 2017. Chart and radiographic review were performed to collect demographic, clinical and radiographic risk factors. Descriptive statistics, univariate analyses and multivariate regression analysis were used to compare risk factors between patients that did or did not develop a subsequent contralateral SCFE.

RESULTS

This study included 183 patients and 33 patients (18%) developed a subsequent contralateral SCFE. Younger age at time of initial presentation, lower modified Oxford Score and smaller difference in epiphyseal-diaphyseal angle between both sides during index presentation were significant predictors of subsequent contralateral SCFE. Specifically, age ≤ 11 years, modified Oxford Score ≤ 20 and difference in epiphyseal-diaphyseal angle of ≤ 21° between both hips were predictive of a contralateral slip (Area Under the Curve = 0.78; p < 0.05). The presence of each risk factor increased the risk of subsequent contralateral SCFE and having all three risk factors increased the risk to 73%.

CONCLUSION

There is a significant risk of subsequent contralateral SCFE in patients with unilateral SCFE, and predictive risk factors include younger age, lower modified Oxford Score and smaller difference in epiphyseal-diaphyseal angle between the affected and unaffected hips.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.