ABSTRACT
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is an anterior, superior and external rotational displacement of the proximal femoral metaphysis relative to the fixed epiphysis which occurs through the physis during the prepubescent and adolescent growth spurt. The average age of presentation in boys is 13 years and in girls 12 years. It is deemed to be a common cause of degenerative hip disease in adult life. It is slightly more common in boys than girls and tends to occur in children who are obese (95th percentile weight for age, or BMI 25 kg/m2). The natural history is one of gradual increase in the SCFE as time passes and, as the severity of the SCFE increases, so does the incidence of degenerative hip disease later in life.1 Thus early diagnosis and appropriate intervention when the slip is less severe is desirable.
