Traumatic Slip of Upper Femoral Epiphysis
Slip of the upper femoral epiphysis known as Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) develops during periods of rapid growth, shortly after the onset of puberty. In boys, this most commonly occurs between the ages of 12 and 16; in girls, between the ages of 10 and 14. SCFE can also occur following a minor trauma. If left untreated it will lead to avascular necrosis of the femoral head (loss of blood supply of femoral head), chondrolysis ( destruction of the femoral head cartilage) leading to osteoarthritis.
A high level of suspicion is required to diagnose a case of SCFE when one sees a limping adolescent patient in the outpatient department with a history of progressive pain in the hip and limping for a few months or following trivial trauma. the diagnosis is made on a simple AP x-ray & frog leg lateral x-ray.
Once diagnosed most of these cases require surgery to arrest the slip of the femoral epiphysis and thus prevent delayed complications.
Below is a case of traumatic Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) in a 14 year old male patient.
Pre & Post Operative X-rays of traumatic SCFE left side