PROPHYLACTIC DYNAMIC SCREW FIXATION OF THE ASYMPTOMATIC HIP IN SLIPPED CAPITAL FEMORAL EPIPHYSIS

Prophylactic dynamic screw fixation (DSF) of clinically and radiograph ically unaffected hips of 34 patients with a contralateral slipped cap ital femoral epiphysis and no evidence of an endocrinopathy or systemi c disorder was performed using a single cannulated screw. Follow-up ra nged from 2 to 12 years (average, 5.4 years). There was no case of per ioperative complication and no avascular necrosis or chondrolysis occu rred. No preslip or slip became apparent. In all 34 hips, no tendency toward premature closure of the epiphysis could be observed, no growth disturbance including greater trochanteric overgrowth, coxa brevis, o r coxa vara was noted. This study supports the prophylactic treatment of the asymptomatic hip, using a simple and safe fixation method.