[Experiences with the Cologne treatment plan in epiphyseolysis capitis femoris juvenilis]

From the results obtained we conclude that standardized radiograms in two planes were able to demonstrate the full extent of the basic lesion and thereby to facilitate planning of accurate therapy. Operative fixation of low grade dislocation as inaugurated by Imhäuser and intertrochanteric corrective osteotomy of higher grade dislocations, respectively, have been proved useful as well; whether or not the critical angle is to be assumed at 30 degrees cannot be proved by our material and won't be able to be proved until our own longstanding epicritical observations are available as well as the results of patients treated by different regimens. Based on our experiences with patients treated at other places we believe in operative fixation of the "healthy" contralateral hip in accordance with Imhäuser. This statement can be made as a result of our experiences with 83 patients suffering from chronic dislocation of the upper femoral epiphysis. In future it appears desirable to concentrate on the problem of primary chondrolysis because chondrolysis as well as the remaining residual deformity after treatment appears to be decisive for the fate of the joint.