children s health issues
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)
Introduction
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a slippage or separation of the end of the thighbone (femur) at its growth plate in the hip joint. This disorder may be caused by a weakened growing hip joint. Typical symptoms include stiffness or mild pain in the hip. The diagnosis is based on x-rays and sometimes other imaging tests. Surgery is usually needed to correct the disorder. (See also Overview of Bone Disorders in Children .) The femur is the thighbone. The capital femoral epiphysis is the head of the femur (the ball in the ball-and-socket of the hip joint). The epiphysis can slip off the end of the femur. The slipping occurs at the Overview of Bone Disorders in Children . Growth plates are soft areas of cartilage near the ends of bones from which children's bones grow. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis usually develops in early adolescence and most commonly affects boys. Obesity in Adolescents is a major risk factor. Many children who develop this disorder in one hip eventually develop it in both hips. 