What is slipped capital femoral epiphysis?
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a condition of the hip joint that affects adolescents. In SCFE, the head, or “ball,” of the thigh bone (referred to as the femoral head) slips off the neck of the thigh bone.
What is a slipped femoral capital epiphysis and how is it treated?
How Is Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis Treated? SCFE is always treated with surgery to stabilize the growth plate that slipped. But even before the surgery, the doctor will try to prevent any further slipping by encouraging rest and the use of crutches to avoid putting weight on the affected leg.
Where is the femoral epiphysis?
Growth plates are located between the widened part of the shaft of the bone (metaphysis) and the end of the bone (epiphysis). The epiphysis at the upper end of the femur is the growth center that eventually becomes the femoral head.
Is SCFE considered a fracture?
A SCFE is actually a fracture of the growth plate. The fracture is usually a fairly stable one, and the slippage occurs very slowly.
What is the difference between SCFE and SUFE?
SCFE/ SUFE – Slipped Epiphysis Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) or Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis (SUFE) relates to the slipping of the neck of the femur (thighbone) within the socket (acetabulum). SCFE is a condition that appears to be on the increase in the UK and worldwide.
What causes a hip to slip?
Hip instability is a loose or wobbly hip joint that’s usually caused by problems with the ligaments (the bands of connective tissue that hold bones or joints together). In hip dislocation, the ball at the end of the thighbone is pushed out of the socket. This painful condition requires medical treatment.
How is SCFE diagnosed?
SCFE is diagnosed through physical exam including rotation of the affected leg, observation while walking and X-rays. A MRI may be ordered if the diagnosis is not able to be made with X-rays and your healthcare provider still suspects your child has SCFE.
Why is SCFE an emergency?
Treating SCFE is considered urgent because further slipping could damage the hip joint. To prevent further slipping, the child may be admitted to the hospital right away for surgery. Or the child may be instructed to use crutches and not put any weight on the leg until the SCFE can be repaired.
Can adults get slipped capital femoral epiphysis?
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a condition which predominantly occurs in adolescents. SCFE is extremely rare in adults, and nearly all previous reported cases have been associated with an endocrine disorder.
What causes slipped femoral epiphysis?
The exact cause of SCFE is not known. There are, however, many factors that are associated with this condition. These factors lead to weakening of the growth plate (also called the “physis”) which then causes the femoral head (ball of the femur) to slip off the neck of the femur. Obesity is a major risk factor.
How is SUFE diagnosed?
Diagnosis of SUFE is usually made by physical examination of hip movement and an X-ray. Sometimes further imaging (e.g. an MRI) is also needed to diagnose a SUFE.
What does a slipped hip feel like?
Mild pain in the hips, groin or around the knees. Severe pain that makes children stop putting weight on the leg that hurts. Stiffness in the hip. Less movement than usual in the hip.
What do you do when your hip pops out of place?
As soon as the hip pops out or dislocates, call for help or visit an emergency room. The hip will be experiencing chronic pain so an urgent care facility can treat the pain before the person receives actual treatment. Do not attempt to pop the hip back in place. After the injury, the entire hip will be sensitive.
What does SCFE pain feel like?
With a stable SCFE, a person feels stiffness or pain in the knee or groin area. A stable SCFE usually causes the person to limp and walk with the foot turned outward. The pain and the limp typically tend to come and go, worsening with activity and getting better with rest.
What is a possible complication of capital femoral epiphysis?
Two most severe complications of slipped capital femoral epiphysis are avascular necrosis and chondrolysis. Avascular necrosis is more commonly associated with the acute slips when the lateral epiphyseal vessels are disrupted. In chronic slips, avascular necrosis can occur as a result of treatment.
How is slipped femoral capital epiphysis diagnosed?
How is slipped capital femoral epiphysis diagnosed? SCFE is diagnosed through physical exam including rotation of the affected leg, observation while walking and X-rays. A MRI may be ordered if the diagnosis is not able to be made with X-rays and your healthcare provider still suspects your child has SCFE.
Is SUFE and SCFE the same?
Slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE), also known as a slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), (plural: epiphyses) is a relatively common condition affecting the physis of the proximal femur in adolescents. It is one of the commonest hip abnormalities in adolescence and is bilateral in ~20% of cases.
How is slipped capital femoral epiphysis diagnosed?
What happens if you don’t treat slipped capital femoral epiphysis?
Major complications are avascular necrosis and chondrolysis. Avascular necrosis is a serious complication that happens if your teen’s femoral head has severely slipped.