Early and late complications and their management in slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Background Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) remains a challenge for the treating surgeon. First of all, SCFE should be diagnosed as early as possible. The earlier the diagnosis is made in adolescents, the lower the slip angle will be. Mild slips show more favourable long-term courses than moderate and severe SCFE. Complications With increasing slip angle, the risk of complications increases. The complications of SCFE are diverse, the most severe of which are avascular necrosis (AVN) and chondrolysis. AVN is more common in surgically treated than in non-operatively managed patients and unstable SCFE bears the highest risk of AVN. Therapy Adequate treatment of AVN is still controversial. For surgical treatments, variable rates of AVN have been reported. There is a wide spectrum of surgeries for treating AVN, from hip joint-preserving techniques to total hip replacement. In central Europe there is wide consensus in favour of treating the contralateral side, but this is not without complications. Surgical treatment with in-situ pinning must be carried out with great care to take into consideration the morphology of the femoral head and not to perforate it. It should always be ensured that no osteosynthesis material penetrates the hip joint.