Thirteen hips in 12 patients with adolescent slipped capital femoral epophysis (SCFE) were reviewed to examine the radiological changes which occurred after pinning using the in situ method. The duration of follow-up was more than 2 years. No hips showed further slipping after pinning was performed using one of three methods such as long neck screw (LNS), Kirschner wire and cannulated cancellous screw (CCS). Twelve of the hips had show complete epiphyseal chosure within a mean period of 11.8 months after operation.
In the radiological course of epiphyseal closure, it was commonly seen that a focal narrowing with sclerosis of the proximal femoral growth plate appeared at the posterior portion shortly after pinning. This narrowing then proceeded toward the anterior portion, leading to complete epiphyseal closure.
There were no severe complications such as avascular necrosis. chondrolysis and degenerative changes of the hip. However, residual short neck deformity as well as buried screw heads inside the cortex were seen in this series, especially following multiple CCS pinning. Contralateral slipping of the epiphysis was observed in one of the four patients who had not had prophylacitic pinning.
