title: Cam deformity and hip degeneration are common after fixation of a slipped capital femoral epiphysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is thought to result in cam deformity and femoroacetabular impingement. We examined: (1) cam-type deformity, (2) labral degeneration, chondrolabral damage, and osteoarthritic development, and (3) the clinical and patient-reported outcome after fixation of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE).
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified 28 patients who were treated with fixation of SCFE from 1991 to 1998. 17 patients with 24 affected hips were willing to participate and were evaluated 10-17 years postoperatively. Median age at surgery was 12 (10-14) years. Clinical examination, WOMAC, SF-36 measuring physical and mental function, a structured interview, radiography, and MRI examination were conducted at follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median preoperative Southwick angle was 22o (IQR: 12-27). Follow-up radiographs showed cam deformity in 14 of the 24 affected hips and a Tönnis grade>1 in 1 affected hip. MRI showed pathological alpha angles in 15 affected hips, labral degeneration in 13, and chondrolabral damage in 4. Median SF-36 physical score was 54 (IQR: 49-56) and median mental score was 56 (IQR: 54-58). These scores were comparable to those of a Danish population-based cohort of similar age and sex distribution. Median WOMAC score was 100 (IQR: 84-100).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In 17 patients (24 affected hips), we found signs of cam deformity in 18 hips and early stages of joint degeneration in 10 hips. Our observations support the emerging consensus that SCFE is a precursor of cam deformity, FAI, and joint degeneration. Neither clinical examination nor SF-36 or WOMAC scores indicated physical compromise.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedics Department.
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klit
authors.forename: Kasper
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gosvig
authors.forename: Erland
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Magnussen
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gelineck
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kallemose
authors.forename: Kjeld
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Søballe
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Troelsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D057925:Femoracetabular Impingement / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005270:Femur Head / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005272:Femur Neck / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000009:adverse effects; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D060048:Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphyses / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult