SLIPPING OF THE CAPITAL EPIPHYSIS OF THE FEMUR IN ADOLESCENCE

The cause of slipping of the capital epiphysis of the femur in adolescence is still disputed. Renal rickets, osteomalacia, late rickets, trauma and other causes have been cited. 1 For this reason it was deemed worth while to report three cases in which during operative correction sufficient bone was removed for pathologic examination. 2 Particular attention was paid to the epiphyseal cartilage plates and to the head and neck of the femur. REPORT OF CASES Case 1. —A girl 11 years of age complained of severe pain in the region of the right hip for two days prior to admission. Physical examination showed her to be well developed. The right hip joint was in a position of 125 degrees at the angle of greatest extension and in 15 degrees of adduction. Owing to severe pain and spasm clinical examination of the right hip joint could not be done adequately. It