Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis eMedicine Sports

Description: Synonyms and related keywords: SCFE, hip disorder, slipped hip, adolescent hip disorder, femoral head displacement, Salter-Harris physeal fracture, Salter-Harris fracture, hip pain, hip joint pain
Contents - Introduction Clinical Differentials Workup Treatment Medication Follow-up Miscellaneous Multimedia References
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) persists as one of the most common adolescent hip disorders encountered in orthopedic practice. While the underlying defect may be multifactorial (eg, mechanical and constitutional factors), SCFE represents a unique type of instability of the proximal femoral growth plate. Clinically, the patient may report hip, medial thigh, and/or knee pain; an acute or insidious onset of a limp; and possible decreased range of motion. On x-ray films, the femoral head is seen displaced in varying degrees, posteriorly and inferiorly in relation to the femoral neck and within the confines of the acetabulum. Treatment is primarily operative internal fixation