Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (pronounced: SLIP-ed KAP-uh-tuhl FEM-uh-rul eh-pih-FIZZ-ee-iss), often abbreviated as SCFE (pronounced: SKIFF-ee), is a medical condition that primarily affects adolescents.
Etymology
The term "Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis" is derived from the Latin words: "caput" meaning head, "femur" meaning thigh bone, and "epiphysis" meaning growth plate. The term describes the condition where the head of the thigh bone slips off the growth plate.
Definition
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis is a hip condition that occurs in teens and pre-teens who are still growing. For reasons that are not well understood, the ball at the head of the femur (thighbone) slips off the neck of the bone in a backward direction. This is due to weakness of the growth plate. Most often, it develops during periods of accelerated growth, shortly after the onset of puberty.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of SCFE include limping, hip pain, thigh pain, or knee pain. The pain is usually intermittent and may be mild. In severe cases, the patient may be unable to bear weight on the affected leg.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of SCFE is made through a combination of physical examination and imaging studies, most commonly X-rays. In some cases, a MRI may be used to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment of SCFE usually involves surgery to prevent further slippage of the femoral head. The most common procedure is called in situ fixation, in which a single screw is placed into the femoral head to prevent further slippage.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
- Wikipedia's article - Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
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