What is the femoral physis?
The epiphysis at the upper end of the bone eventually becomes the femoral head. Like the other long bones in the body, the femur does not grow from the center outward. Instead, growth occurs at each end of the bone around an area of developing cartilage called the growth plate (physis).
How is slipped capital femoral epiphysis treated?
How Is Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis Treated? SCFE is always treated with surgery to stabilize the growth plate that slipped. But even before the surgery, the doctor will try to prevent any further slipping by encouraging rest and the use of crutches to avoid putting weight on the affected leg.
What is capital femoral epiphysis?
What is slipped capital femoral epiphysis? Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a condition of the hip joint that affects adolescents. In SCFE, the head, or “ball,” of the thigh bone (referred to as the femoral head) slips off the neck of the thigh bone.
What causes slipped capital femoral epiphysis?
The exact cause of SCFE is not known. There are, however, many factors that are associated with this condition. These factors lead to weakening of the growth plate (also called the “physis”) which then causes the femoral head (ball of the femur) to slip off the neck of the femur. Obesity is a major risk factor.
What is a possible complication of capital femoral epiphysis?
Two most severe complications of slipped capital femoral epiphysis are avascular necrosis and chondrolysis. Avascular necrosis is more commonly associated with the acute slips when the lateral epiphyseal vessels are disrupted. In chronic slips, avascular necrosis can occur as a result of treatment.
Is slipped capital femoral epiphysis an emergency?
SCFE is usually an emergency and must be diagnosed and treated early. In 20 to 40 percent of affected children, SCFE will be present in both hips at the time the child is diagnosed. If only one hip is affected, the other hip will eventually slip 30 to 60 percent of the time. Treatment is surgical.
What is the most common age range for slipped capital femoral epiphysis?
SCFE usually occurs in those eight to 15 years of age and is one of the most commonly missed diagnoses in children. SCFE is classified as stable or unstable based on the stability of the physis.
Can adults get slipped capital femoral epiphysis?
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a condition which predominantly occurs in adolescents. SCFE is extremely rare in adults, and nearly all previous reported cases have been associated with an endocrine disorder.