Responsible Factors for Femoral Shortening in Piglet Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease Models

Abstract

Purpose: To know the proportional contribution of causative factors to the femoral shortening in Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Materials and Methods: In twenty piglets, 4 to 5 weeks old, vascular supply to the capital femoral epiphysis was interrupted by ligating the femoral neck containing the epiphyseal artery. Results: Mean femoral shortening in piglets sacrificed at 4 weeks after devascularization was 7.4 ㎜. In detail, the shortening was 2.5 mm (34%) in the epiphysis and 4.9 mm (66%) in the neck and diaphysis. Mean femoral shortening in piglets sacrificed at 8 weeks after operation was 12.1 ㎜. The distribution of shortening was 4.6 ㎜ (38%) in the epiphysis and 7.5 ㅍ (62%) in the neck and diaphysis. Mean femoral shortening in piglets sacrificed at 20 weeks after operation was 20.7 ㎜. The distribution of shortening was 4.0 ㎜ (19%) in the epiphysis and 16.7 ㎜ (81%) in the neck and diaphysis. Conclusion: We determined the proportional contribution to the residual shortening according to the causative factors.