Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a skeletal injury due to weakening of the femoral physis. It is diagnosed with x-ray and treated with screw fixation.

Pathophysiology

• Weakening of the femoral physis (growth plate)
• Allows for anterior displacement of the proximal femoral diaphsis with femoral head posterior slippage

Contextual Factors

• Obesity
• Adolescent age

Clinical Manifestation

• Dull hip pain
• Limited hip internal rotation
• Referred knee pain
• Abnormal gait
  • Antalgic gait (unilateral SCFE)
  • Waddling gait (bilateral SCFE)

Complications

• Avascular necrosis
• Osteoarthritis

Diagnosis

• X-ray
  • Posteriorly displaced femoral head

Treatment

• Non-weight bearing
• Surgical screw fixation for physis stabilisation