ABSTRACT
The diagnosis is a slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE). SUFE is commoner in boys and in obese individuals. Pain can be felt in the groin, hip or thigh or there may be referred pain in the knee. Classically, the affected hip is flexed and the leg is externally rotated. A small slip may be missed on the anteroposterior view, therefore a lateral or frog leg view of the hip is also necessary. The lateral X-ray shows displacement of the proximal femoral epiphysis relative to the femoral neck. Approximately 25 per cent of patients will also have a contralateral slip and the other hip must therefore be carefully assessed.
