Slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Background

• Most common cause of hip disability in adolescents
• Head of femur displaces from epiphysis
• Complications: avascular necrosis, arthritis

Risk Factors

1. Obesity
2. African-American
3. Male:female (3:1)
4. During growth spurt (m=13y f=11y)

Diagnosis

Presentation

• Mild to severe pain hip pain (may have referred knee pain)
• Limp
• May present as acute, chronic, or acute on chronic (following trauma)

Imaging

• AP and lateral (bilateral)
  • Widened physis (early finding)
  • Displacement of femoral neck to head (late finding)
• Klein's line
  • Line from superior cortex of femoral neck parallel to greater trochanter
    • Normally should cross through 1/3 of femoral head

Treatment

• Orthopedic consultation in ED
• MRI for ambiguous cases
• Non-weight bearing
• Internal fixation

Disposition

Admission

See Also

Hip Pain

Source

Tintinalli