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Complications

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The complications of slipped femoral epiphysis are:

  • avascular necrosis -
    • the most serious complication, occuring secondary to severe displacement and fixation with more than one screw
    • seen in up to 60 % of patients with unstable SCFE
    • often results in advanced and early degenerative osteoarthritis (1)
  • coxa vara, due to fusion of the epiphysis in the slipped position, usually resulting in a painless deformity
  • contralateral slipped femoral epiphysis:
    • occurs in at least 33% of cases
    • sometimes the opposite femoral epiphysis is pinned at the time of treatment of the slipped one
  • secondary osteoarthritis occurs if there has been avascular necrosis and may result if the condition has not been reduced
  • chondrolysis -
    • there may be loss of articular cartilage
    • results in joint stiffness and pain
    • the rate has decreased (from 5 - 7 % to 1 - 2%) with improved surgical techniques

Reference:

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