Slipped capital femoral epiphysis in black children

Abstract

We reviewed 74 black children with 97 slipped capital femoral epiphyses (SCFEs) with an average follow-up of 3.7 years. There were 24 bilateral, 22 right, and 27 left SCFEs. The average age at operation was 12 years 6 months. The average slip severity was 28 degrees with 61 mild, 21 moderate, and 14 severe slips. Group I slips (54) were treated with multiple pins, and group II slips (43) were treated with a single central screw. Satisfactory results were achieved in 74% of the group I and 91% of the group II slips, with only three cases of chondrolysis. We conclude that single central screw fixation of SCFE in black children can lead to excellent results with a low incidence of chondrolysis.