Smaller Epiphyseal Tubercle and Larger Peripheral Cupping in Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis Compared with Healthy Hips: A 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography Study.

Hips with SCFE have a smaller epiphyseal tubercle and larger peripheral cupping compared with healthy hips. A smaller epiphyseal tubercle may be a predisposing morphologic factor or a consequence of the increased shearing stress across the physis secondary to the slip. Increased peripheral growth may be an adaptive response to instability as other stabilizers (i.e., epiphyseal tubercle and anterior periosteum) become compromised with slip progression. Future studies are necessary to determine the biomechanical basis of our morphologic findings.