SLIPPED CAPITAL FEMORAL EPIPHYSIS

Children go through growth spurts that result in weight gain and increasing height. These growth spurts put extra pressure on the weight-bearing joints of the body. A disease called slipped capital femoral epiphysis is most likely to occur during the growth spurt just before puberty.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a disease of the hip joint. The capital femoral epiphysis is the growth center located in the head of the thighbone. Sometimes a growth spurt can cause this part of the thighbone to slip out of the hip socket. When this happens, pain can occur in the knees or hips. The child may also have a slight limp that may get better or worse intermittently over time.

It is more common for boys to have this than girls. It usually occurs between the ages of 11 and 15 to children who are overweight. African American children and Hispanic children are more likely to have this condition. Often it happens in both hips at the same time. If only one hip is affected, it is usually the left hip. If both hips are affected, one hip may not cause symptoms.

This condition is usually divided into two types, stable and unstable. The stable type is the most common. The child with this type can walk with or without crutches. The symptoms usually include a limp with pain in the knee, hip, or groin. The hip or foot may turn out and it may be hard to move that hip.

Unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis sometimes follows an injury or fall. If this happens, there will be extreme pain and the injured leg cannot be moved. The child will not be able to walk.

The healthcare provider can easily see a slipped epiphysis from x-rays of the hips. The usual treatment is surgery. During surgery a screw or screws may be put in the hip to keep the epiphysis from slipping more. Sometimes the screw can be put in through the skin and a cut does not have to be made.

The results are good after surgery. Osteoarthritis, a type of arthritis, may develop later in life. This can happen even if the hip has been fixed with surgery.

There is no way to prevent a slipped epiphysis. However, since overweight children are more likely to have this, weight control may be helpful.

It is important for any child with pain in the front of the thigh or knee to see a healthcare provider. It is even more important if the child is overweight.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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