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Slipped upper capital epiphyses
Comprehensive medical and surgical care
Slipped upper capital epiphyses
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a hip condition that occurs in teens and pre-teens who are still growing.
SCFE is a shift at the upper part of the thigh bone, or femur, that results in a weakened hip joint , the ball at the upper end of the thigh bone (femur) slips in a backward direction.There are two types of SCFE :stable Slipped upper capital epiphyses( SCFE ) and Unstable Slipped upper capital epiphyses (SCFE ). In stable SCFE, the patient is able to walk or bear weight on the affected hip, either with or without crutches.Unstable SCFE is a more severe condition. The patient cannot walk or bear weight, even with crutches. In Unstable SCFE requires urgent treatment.
At NSOC in Kenya, we bring together expert specialists across multiple fields of orthopedic surgery, all of whom display the same level of dedication to the wellbeing of our patients.
The ultimate goal of NSOC is to provide impeccable care and peace of mind to every single patient from diagnosis to recovery.
Risk factors of Slipped upper capital epiphyses
Excessive weight or obesity—most patients are above the 95th percentile for weight
Family history of SCFE
An endocrine or metabolic disorder, such as hyperthyroidism—this is more likely to be a factor for patients who are older or younger than the typical age range for SCFE (10 to 16 years of age)
It may also occur suddenly in cases of trauma or falls.
Diagnosing Slipped upper capital epiphysis
Diagnosis entails taking a close patient history noting the onset of symptoms, performing a comprehensive physical exam to check for pain with extremes of motion, involuntary muscle guarding and muscle spasms and doing X-rays of the hip.
A magnetic resonance imaging study (MRI) might be ordered. An MRI can catch very early Slipped upper capital epiphyses ( SCFE), before they start to slip very far.
Treatment of Slipped Upper capital epiphysis
Early diagnosis of Slipped upper capital epiphyses (SCFE) gives a chance to achieve the treatment goal of stabilizing the hip. Our doctors aim to prevent any further slipping or displacement in the head of the femur.In most cases, a procedure called in-situ fixation is performed whereby two screws are inserted into the hip without making a major incision. They extend up the length of the femoral neck and into the femoral head, thereby stabilizing the epiphysis or growth plate.
Open reduction. In patients with unstable Slipped upper capital epiphyses (SCFE) , the doctor may first make an open incision in the hip, then gently manipulate and reduce the head of the femur back into its normal anatomic position.
In some instances, prophylactic pinning of the other hip may be performed to remove abnormal growth plate and avoiding any further displacement with the help of screws.
Although early detection and proper treatment of Slipped upper capital epiphyses will help decrease the chance of complications, some patients will still experience problems.
The most common complications following Slipped upper capital epiphyses ( SCFE )are avascular necrosis and chondrolysis.
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