Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a rare disease that occurs in adolescent hip hones. The epiphysis, or growth plate, is a section of long bones, such as the femur. With this disease, the epiphysis of the femur will slip backwards into the hip joint and separate from the main section of bone, resulting in a fracture of the growth plate. Up to 20-percent of American adolescents develop slipped capital femoral epiphysis, and the risk factors include trauma, repeated falls, Down syndrome, hypothyroidism, obesity, and being of the male sex.
The main symptom is hip pain, usually in the left hip more often than the right. Other symptoms include knee pain, intermittent limping, a turned out leg (toes pointing away from the body), and decreased range of motion in the affected hip. The disease can range from mild, moderate, to severe. Complications from slipped capital femoral epiphysis include osteonecrosis and osteoporosis later in life.
