Slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Definition

A slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a separation of the ball of the hip joint from the thigh bone (femur) at the upper growing end (growth plate) of the bone.

Alternative Names

Femoral epiphysis - slipped

Causes

A slipped capital femoral epiphysis may affect both hips.

An epiphysis is an area at the end of a long bone. It is separated from the main part of the bone by the growth plate. In this condition, the problem occurs in the upper area while the bone is still growing.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis occurs in about 2 out of every 100,000 children. It is more common in:

Children with hormone imbalances caused by other conditions are at higher risk for this disorder.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will examine you. A hip or pelvis x-ray can confirm this condition.

Treatment

Surgery to stabilize the bone with pins or screws will prevent the ball of the hip joint from slipping or moving out of place. At times, the hip joint has to be opened up to allow the surgeon to realign the hip. Some surgeons may suggest using pins on the other hip at the same time. This is because many children will develop this problem in that hip later.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome is most often good with treatment. In rare cases, the hip joint may wear away, despite prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Possible Complications

This disorder is linked to a greater risk for osteoarthritis later in life. Other potential but rare complications include reduced blood flow to the hip joint and wearing away of hip joint tissue (avascular necrosis). This can lead to increased pain and stiffness of the joint, even at young age.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

If your child has ongoing pain or other symptoms of this disorder, have the child lie down right away and stay still until you get medical help.

Prevention

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

References

Sankar WN, Winell JJ, Horn BD, Wells L. The hip. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 698.

Sawyer JR, Spence DD. Fractures and dislocations in children. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 36.


Review Date: 12/12/2022
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
© 1997- adam.comAll rights reserved.