Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)
Slipped Growth Plate at Hip (Adolescent Emergency)
Posterior-inferior slippage of the proximal femoral epiphysis (femoral head) on the metaphysis through the growth plate (physis). The femoral head stays in the acetabulum while the neck/shaft slip anteriorly and externally rotate. Peak age 11-14 (during growth spurt). Strong association with obesity. Bilateral in 20-40%. ORTHOPAEDIC EMERGENCY when unstable: risk of AVN.
Open this lesson interactively →