Joint Instability After Anatomic Reconstruction of Severe, Chronic Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

Cases: Joint instability after slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) reorientation through the physis has been attributed to a combination of capsulotomy and chondrolabral rim damage. We report on 3 hips with severe SCFE with closed physes, in which anatomic correction with femoral neck osteotomy led to joint instability. All 3 had acetabular roof flattening; 1 showed slight additional acetabular retroversion but also increased femoral anteversion. Conclusion: We speculate that the slight roof flattening in all 3 cases and/or the high femoral anteversion in 1 case had contributed to joint instability. Femoral derotation osteotomy was performed in 1 and periacetabular osteotomy was performed in 2 for joint restabilization.