Slipped capital femoral epiphysis

$Femoral fracture$

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Definition:

A separation of the ball of the hip joint from the thigh bone (femur) at the upper growing end of the bone.

Alternative Names:

Femoral epiphysis - slipped; Slip; Scfe

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The epiphysis is at the ends of long bones. It is separated from the main part of the bone by the epiphyseal plate (growth plate). In this condition, a displacement occurs in the upper epiphysis while the bone is still growing. It is more common in boys, in children who are obese, and in children who grow rapidly. It occurs most often between the ages of 11 and 15.

Symptoms:

knee pain
hip pain
leg turns outward
hip movements are restricted
hip stiffness
difficulty walking (gait difficulty), limp with walking

Signs and tests:

Physical examination shows decreased hip motion and pain with attempted movement of the hip. A hip X-ray or pelvis X-ray shows displacement.

Treatment:

Surgery to stabilize the bone with pins or screws prevents further displacement of the ball of the hip joint (i.e., prevents further "slippage").

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome is expected to be good with treatment.

Complications:

This disorder is associated with an increased incidence of osteoarthritis later in life. Other potential but rare complications include diminished blood flow to the hip joint and thinning of the cartilage in the hip joint.

Calling your health care provider:

If your child experiences persistent pain or other symptoms of this disorder, have the child lie down immediately and do not let them walk until they have been examined by the health care provider.

Prevention:

Weight control for obese children may be helpful. Many cases are not preventable.

Review Date: 8/11/2001
Reviewed By: David M. Scher, M.D., Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.