SLIPPED CAPITAL FEMORAL EPIPHYSIS

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is the most common hip abnorm ality in adolescence and is a major cause of early osteoarthritis. A v ariety of clinical and radiographic staging methods are used and may h elp predict prognosis, Plain radiography remains the imaging modality of choice in the evaluation of patients with suspected SCFE, Subtle, e arly radiographic abnormalities include widening of the physis on the affected side, sometimes accompanied by demineralization; diminution o f the femoral epiphysis; and the metaphyseal blanch (or blush) sign, a n area of increased opacity in the proximal part of the affected metap hysis, With a mild slip, the anterior view of the hip demonstrates sev eral secondary signs of SCFE, whereas a lateral view demonstrates the actual slip, Early and late complications such as hardware loosening o r migration, chondrolysis, osteonecrosis, and osteoarthritis also affe ct overall prognosis and are not infrequent complications, Treatment c onsists of stabilization across the physis with placement of pins or s crews, Knowledge of radiographic abnormalities associated with SCFE ma y allow prompt diagnosis and treatment, which are essential for optimi zing the functional outcome for affected patients.