Efficacy of Single Screw Fixation for Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

Abstract

Background: Several studies have failed to demonstrate a clinical or biomechanical advantage to multiple pins and advocate the using larger-diameter one screw inserted into the center-center position of epiphysis in managing of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE). Objective: evaluation of functional outcome of using single screw in fixation of SCFE. Methods: The present study included 18 patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis who enrolled for single screw fixation at Orthopedic Department, Zagazig University Hospitals. Results: Southwick angle was significantly decreased from 32.38±12.33 to 23.0±10.74. Harris hip score was nonsignificantly increased from 51.05 ± 17.63 to 75.05 ± 12.57. About 5.6% of the studied patients had complication and 94.4% had no complication. There was significant relation between complication and renal failure co-morbidity. Conclusion: single screw fixation has good results with low complication rate and considered as an effective method in managing slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Single-screw in situ fixation is the optimal treatment for a stable SCFE, while immediate mild reduction, decompression, and internal fixation are preferred for an unstable SCFE.