We report a case of slipped capital femoral epiphysis, for which were uncertain whether removal of titanium canulated cancellous screws was appropriate.
A twelve-year-old boy visited our clinic complaining of left coxalgia after a fall. Plain radiography showed left acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Internal fixation was performed with canulated cancellous screws made of titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V). 22 months after the operation, removal of the screws was attempted. However removal was stopped because of breakage of the screws and instruments for removal. After several days, removal of the screws was attempted again, the bone around the screws was reamed and the screws were removed. Screws made of titanium alloy have good biocompatibility to bone. Failure of the removal after internal fixation of slipped capital femoral epiphysis has been reported. Stainless steel screws have low biocompatibility to bone and should be used in cases like this.
