Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) is a hip disorder that involves the epiphysis (eh PIFF I siss). This is the growing portion or ball on the top part of the femur (thigh bone). SCFE happens when the ball slips from the neck of the femur, similar to ice cream sliding off a cone on a hot summer day. It can occur in one or both hips. Your child is considered to have “stable” SCFE if he or she can walk, even if he needs crutches. A child who cannot walk, even with crutches, has “unstable” SCFE.
Causes of SCFE
When growth spurts happen, the epiphysis is stimulated to make the bone grow and can be weakened by this activity (Picture 1). This is why SCFE’s typically occur during fast growth years (ages 9-16). SCFE affects twice as many boys as girls. No one knows what causes SCFE. Be sure to tell your child’s health care provider if anyone related to your child has had SCFE. Some conditions that go along with SCFE are:
- Being overweight or obese
- Sports-related injuries or other trauma
- Thyroid problems or other metabolic or endocrine disorder.
Signs of SCFE
Symptoms of stable SCFE can build up slowly. A child with SCFE may have one or more of these signs:
- Pain in the hip which may improve with rest
- A limp with walk or run
- Pain in the hip, groin, thigh or knee
- Trouble lifting the affected leg to do such things as climb stairs or get into a car or truck
- The leg or foot turned outward when the child walks
A child with unstable SCFE usually has a sudden onset of severe pain when he cannot move the affected leg.
Diagnosis
X-rays of the hip, thigh and pelvis area are taken to look for SCFE. X-rays of both hips are taken to compare. Sometimes the slip can be so small it may not be seen on plain X-rays. Grading the severity of the slip is based on the X-rays showing how far the ball has fallen off the cone (Picture 2). If your child needs any other tests, your health care provider will let you know.
Treatment
Regardless of cause, pain or stability, almost all patients need surgery. If the slip is stable, the procedure that is performed is called in-situ fixation. It involves placing a single screw into the top of the femur. This is done to fix the bone in place and stop the slip. Most of the time, this surgery has a very good outcome.
For a severe SCFE, the hip may require a surgical hip dislocation (removing the hip from the socket) and performing an osteotomy (os tee AHT o mee). An osteotomy is cutting the bone and rotating it back to the appropriate position. The bones are then stabilized using plates, screws, and pins. If either of these treatments is needed, your child’s health care provider will explain them to you.
Why Treatment is Important
It is important to diagnose and treat SCFE when symptoms are first noticed to help prevent long-term problems.
- Stable SCFE treatment is aimed at keeping the problem from getting worse. The worse the deformity, the higher the risk is for arthritis.
- Unstable SCFE can lead to reduced blood flow to the bone. This is called avascular necrosis (AVN). AVN causes the bone to die from the inside out, which can lead to deformity of the bone, early arthritis, and long term hip complications.
Sometimes, despite treatment, a child with SCFE can develop chondrolysis (kon DRAHL i siss), which means damage to the cartilage. Cartilage is the soft connective tissue in the joint. When the cartilage is damaged, it can lead to a stiff joint and long-term pain. These problems are more common in unstable SCFE. However, they can occur in either type of SCFE
After Surgery
Care of the Incision
- If staples were used, your child’s incision will be covered by a dry gauze dressing for the first few days after surgery. Your child’s health care provider will tell you if and when you can remove this dressing. The staples will be removed at your child’s follow-up appointment.
- If dissolvable stiches are used, small strips of white tape (Steri-Strips™) will cover the incisions and a dry gauze dressing will be placed over the Steri-Strips. A clear dressing (Opsite) is placed over the Steri-Strips™. This clear dressing stays on until your health care provider tells you to remove it, or until your child’s follow-up appointment.
- Your child may shower if approved by his or her doctor. No tub baths are allowed until the doctor says it is okay.
Activity
After the surgery, your child will need crutches or a walker for about 4 to 6 weeks. The type of SCFE and the surgical procedure done will determine your child’s weight-bearing status on the operated leg. A physical therapist will teach your child how to use crutches before he goes home. If major surgery was needed, a wheelchair may be prescribed until your child can walk.
Nutrition
Your child should be able to eat his regular diet after going home from the hospital. Good nutrition is an important part of the healing process. Be sure to include foods like milk and yogurt that are high in calcium and protein (Picture 3). In many situations, an outpatient referral to Healthy Weight and Nutrition is done. This helps your child and family to find physical activities and nutritional choices that will benefit your child’s long- term health and well-being.
Medicines
Before you take your child home from the hospital, his nurse will talk with you about the type of medicines he or she should take for pain.
- If your child needs a prescription for pain medicine, we will give it to you with the child’s discharge papers.
- All narcotic pain medicines cause constipation. While on pain medicine, your child should drink lots of water and fluids and eat foods high in fiber. You may switch to Tylenol® (not Motrin® or ibuprofen) when the narcotics are no longer needed. Your child will also have instructions to use a stool softener or laxative (such as Miralax®). You can purchase these over the counter. Follow dosing directions in the package.
When to Call the Doctor
Call your child’s doctor if any of the following occurs:
- The incision turns red
- There is blood or fluid around the incision, except for small amounts on the first dressing
- The incision becomes more tender or swollen
- The incision begins to separate or come apart
- Your child runs a fever over 101º F
- Your child cannot have a bowel movement
- You have any other questions or concerns
Follow-up Appointments
The doctor would like to see your child in two weeks. Please call the Orthopedic Clinic at (614) 722-5175 to schedule a follow-up appointment.
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) (PDF)
HH-I-284 7/08 Revised 12/16 Copyright 2008 Nationwide Children’s Hospital