The Evolving Slope of the Proximal Femoral Growth Plate Relationship to Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

Authors:
  • DWDennis S. Weiner
    Dennis S. Weiner
  • MAMike Askew
    Mike Askew
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Abstract
We measured the physeal angle (slope) of the proximal femoral physis on the standard anteroposterior (AP) radiographs. Controls consisted of 307 hips in children aged 1-18 years. Similar measurements were made on the affected (slip) and unaffected (nonslip) sides of 107 children with manifest unilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis. An age-related increase of 14 degrees occurs in the slope of the proximal femoral physis between ages 1 and 18 years, with maximal increase between ages 9 and 12 years. Increasing obliquity of the proximal femoral physis may be yet another factor contributing to slipped capital femoral epiphysis.