Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis Treatment in Kansas City, MO

What is Femoral Epiphysis?

The long bone in the thigh is called the femur. A “ball” is at the end of the femur where it meets the hip called the femoral head. The “cup” is made up of the pelvic bones and is called the acetabulum which the ball fits into. During growth, the growth plate connects the epiphysis, which is the end of the head, to the rest of the femur.

What is Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis?

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a disorder in teens in which the growth plate is damaged and the femoral head “slips”. While the rest of the femur is moved, the head of the femur stays in the cup of the hip joint.

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Signs and Symptoms of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

  • There may be pain in the groin, the inside of the thigh, or the knee
  • Trouble moving your legs and you feel stiff
  • The way you walk may change as you try to put as little weight as possible on the side that hurts
  • You may walk with the affected leg turned outward

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis Treatment

The goal of treatment is to stop the femoral head from slipping even more and to stop any other problems from happening. This is done through hip surgery. To connect the femoral head to the rest of the femur, a screw is used to stabilize the bone.

If the deformities are severe, the surgeon may decide to realign the bones before putting in the screw. The surgeon may also suggest putting a screw in the healthy hip to prevent it from slipping.

What is the Outcome for Teens with Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis?

How well a person does depends on how bad their condition is and if there are any complications. Even if there are no other problems, the risk of degenerative joint disease is still high, but losing weight is one of the best ways for a teen to lower his or her risk of getting a degenerative joint disease in the future.

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis Care in Kansas City

Reach out to us here at Orthopedic Health of Kansas City to schedule an appointment with a hip and pelvic specialist. Our team will get you back to the activities you enjoy if you are struggling with this condition.