Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is rare hip condition seen in children, classically seen in obese boys. It is also is known as slipped upper femoral epiphysis.

Basics

• typically age group is 10-15 years
• More common in obese children and boys
• Displacement of the femoral head epiphysis postero-inferiorly
• May present acutely following trauma or more commonly with chronic, persistent symptoms
• There is an association with hypothyroidism

Features

• hip, groin, medial thigh or knee pain
• loss of internal rotation of the leg in flexion
• bilateral slip in 20% of cases

Investigation

• AP and lateral (typically frog-leg) views are diagnostic

Management

• internal fixation: typically a single cannulated screw placed in the center of the epiphysis