SLIPPED CAPITAL FEMORAL EPIPHYSIS - A LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE CAPACITIES FOR REMODELING

We reviewed 59 hips in 44 children with slipped capital femoral epiphy sis (SCFE), all treated by in situ pinning. The average clinical and r adiographic follow-up was 11.4 years. Fifty-three hips (90%) were rate d as either excellent or good. Osteonecrosis or chondrolysis developed in five patients. Postoperative remodeling was noted, not only by a p rocess of local resorption and apposition of bone, but also by correct ion of the disturbed anatomic axes, in proportion to the severity of t he slip, together with global thickening of the femoral neck. We belie ve that the good long-term results after in situ pinning are the conse quence of this important remodeling process.