A histochemical study of slipped capital femoral epiphysis
Ippolito, E.; Mickelson, M.R.; Ponseti, I.V.
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume 63(7): 1109-1113
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-9355 PMID: 7276046 Document Number: 171278
Core biopsies of the proximal femoral growth plate from 3 patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis were compared to 3 normal growth plates of patients of similar age. The growth plates of patients had a normal resting zone, a loose and fibrillated proliferative zone and a very disarranged and thickened hypertrophic zone. The proliferative zone stained strongly with alcian blue, suggesting the presence of abundant proteoglycans in the cartilage matrix. The thickened hypertrophic zone was strongly positive to periodic acid-Schiff stain, indicating the presence of abundant structural glycoproteins. Enchondral ossification was scanty and irregular and there were large clusters of cartilage in the metaphysis. Slippage occurred through the thickened proliferative and hypertrophic zones. The proximal femoral growth plate in slipped capital femoral epiphysis is histochemically abnormal and histologically disarranged. These features contribute to abnormal widening of the growth plate and to further slippage.