Arthroscopic Subcapital Realignment in Chronic and Stable Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

Abstract

Stable slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is the most common disease in the adolescent hip, with an estimated frequency of 10.8 in every 100,000 individuals. Recent studies of the biomechanics of femoroacetabular impingement indicate that small anatomical deformities of the hip arising from SCFE can potentially cause permanent acetabular chondral damage. There is no consensus about the best treatment option, especially for cases of moderate or severe chronic slippage (Southwick classification). Some authors recommend treatment with fixation in situ, in the belief that remodeling of the residual deformity of the femoral neck during growth allows proper function of the hip joint. Others recommend correction at the site of the deformity (subcapital realignment), aiming for the anatomical reduction of the epiphysis and seeking to reduce the risk of chondral degeneration. The authors of this Technical Note present an alternative to the classical techniques of subcapital realignment for the treatment of moderate and severe chronic and stable SCFE, which allows adequate access to the hip joint and anatomical reduction of the slippage, besides having the theoretical advantage of rapid rehabilitation of the patient.