Epiphyseolysis of the femur head: indications for the treatment of the contralateral hip at cessation of growth

In general, prophylactic treatment of the contralateral hip in manifest unilateral EFH is a well-proven and efficacious preventive measure. Shortly before the end of growth, however, due to asynchronous closure of the growth plate, the contralateral side may already be fused, so that there is no longer any danger of the hip slipping. Diagnostic difficulties in radiologic assessment of growth plate structure can be resolved with CT. In a two-year period, CT confirmation of closure of the growth plate enabled surgery on the contralateral side to be dispensed with in 3 cases (out of a total of 9).