Posterior sloping angle as a predictor of contralateral slip in slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

BACKGROUND

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a condition with potentially severe complications. Controversy remains as to when to undertake prophylactic pinning. We aimed to assess the utility of the posterior sloping angle as a predictor for contralateral slip in a large, multi-ethnic cohort including Polynesian children with a high incidence of slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

METHODS

All patients presenting to our hospital between 2000 and 2009 were identified and records were reviewed to determine demographic data and determine whether they subsequently developed a contralateral slip. The presenting radiographs were reviewed and the posterior sloping angle was measured. Patients with bilateral slips at presentation and those without initial radiographs were excluded.

RESULTS

Records and radiographs of 132 patients were analyzed for the posterior sloping angle in the unaffected hip. Forty-two patients who had subsequently developed a contralateral slip had a mean posterior sloping angle (and standard deviation) of 17.2° ± 5.6°, which was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that of 10.8° ± 4.2° for the ninety patients who had had a unilateral slip. Children who had developed a subsequent contralateral slip were significantly younger (11.1 years) than those who had developed a unilateral slip (12.2 years) (p < 0.001). If a posterior sloping angle of 14° were used as an indication for prophylactic fixation in this population, thirty-five (83.3%) of forty-two contralateral slips would have been prevented, and nineteen (21.1%) of ninety hips would have been pinned unnecessarily. The number needed to treat to prevent one subsequent contralateral slip is 1.79.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the largest study to date that confirms that the posterior sloping angle is a reliable predictor of contralateral slip and can be used to guide prophylactic pinning. The posterior sloping angle is applicable in the high-risk Polynesian population and could be useful in preventing future slips in populations that are difficult to follow up.