Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)

There is a strong association with obesity. In children younger than 10 years, it is associated with metabolic endocrine disorders {hypothyroidism, panhypopituitarism, hypogonadism, renal osteodystrophy, growth hormone abnormalities). SCFE is considered chronic if it has been present more than 3 weeks and acute if it has been present for 3 weeks or less. It is called "stable" if the patient can bear weight and "unstable" if the patient cannot ambulate. Unstable SCFE is associated with more complications, including avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVN). SCFE is diagnosed by x-ray of the pelvis and bilateral hips. The underlying cause is a widened epiphyseal growth plate, due to abnormal cartilage maturation and endochondral ossification. The treatment is surgical, requiring immediate internal fixation with a single screw. Delay in treatment {> 24 hours) leads to increased AVN, SCFE progression from stable to unstable, and high risk of future degenerative arthritis. Prophylactic contralateral fixation of the unaffected hip is not routinely done in the U.S., except in patients with endocrine abnormalities.