Slipped capital femoral epiphysis in black children: Incidence of chondrolysis

The risk of chondrolysis and avascular necrosis (AVN) in black children treated for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is controversial. A retrospective study was conducted of 29 black patients (44 hips) treated for SCFE at Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, to evaluate our own experience. All patients were treated with in situ pinning. The overall rates of chondrolysis and AVN were 6.8 and 4.5%, respectively. Fifty-two percent of patients had bilateral SCFE. Obesity was extremely common and correlated significantly with bilateral disease. Obesity did not correlate directly with a higher incidence of chondrolysis or AVN. Adherence to technical details described should reduce complications further.