Premature central closure of the epiphyseal cartilages about the knee may follow tuberculosis of the hip in children. In the author's opinion, the marked discrepancy in bone length seen in these cases is the result of the arrest of growth from this condition. Extreme decalcification and trauma are the probable causes of this serious complication.
The prevention of inequality in length is dependent upon the early recognition of its cause and the institution of proper methods of treatment to obviate its further increase from growth of tile normal leg.