Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE)

Symptoms of SCFE include:

• Sudden pain resultant from a fall
• External rather than internal rotation of you child's affected leg
• Inability to walk freely
• The affected leg may appear shorter than the other

Your child's consultant will discuss their symptoms with you to help make a diagnosis. They will carry out a physical examination. This is to assess if pain is experienced in your child's hip motion. Your consultant will also observe if there gait is irregular (the way they walk). An X-ray will help determine whether a procedure is needed.

The aim of surgery is to prevent further slipping of the femoral head (the ball that rests on the hip socket). Procedure options include:

• In situ fixation for stable SCFE (still able to walk freely). Your child's surgeon will make a small incision at the hip. A metal screw is inserted in the femoral head to stabilise it.
• In situ fixation in the opposite hip. This will take place if your child's other hip is at risk of SCFE.
• Open reduction for unstable SCFE (can't walk freely). An open incision is made at the hip. The femoral head is moved back to its natural position. One or two metal screws will be inserted to hold the bone in place.