During an eight-year period, twentyfour Southwick osteotomies were
performed in twenty-one patients with severe chronic slipped capital femoral
epiphysis. After follow-ups ranging from two to ten years (average, four and
one-half years), correction of the deformity had been maintained in all but
one patient, who had loss of fixation of the osteotomy. One patient had
joint-space narrowing, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, and significant
restriction of motion which was still present three years after operation. We
concluded that this osteotomy gives good correction of the deformity but is a
major operative procedure that should be recommended only for severe, chronic
slips. Preoperative loss of motion and joint-space narrowing are probably
contraindications for the procedure, particularly in black patients.