Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a hip condition that affects children ages nine to 16 most often. At the top of the femur (hip bone) is a growth plate (epiphysis). The epiphysis is made of cartilage until the bone stops growing and reaches full maturity. In SCFE, the femoral head fails at the weakest point, through the growth plate. As a result, a condition similar to a stress fracture develops. The top part of the femur actually slips away from the rest of the bone.

Children who are overweight are more prone to developing SCFE. This suggests that the main cause of SCFE is from increased force on the hip at a time when the femoral head is not quite ready to support these forces.

The average age for the onset of SCFE is around 12-years old. Boys are affected more often than girls, especially black or Hispanic boys. There may be a genetic link but data collected so far point’s race, gender, seasonal variation, and geographic location as being more important factors.

For example, there are more cases reported in the Northeast and West compared to the Midwest and South. The reasons for this are unknown at this time. There are seasonal differences, too. In the north, there are more cases of SCFE during the summer. In the south, more than half the cases occur during the winter months between October and March.

Be sure and ask your pediatrician to check your son for this at his next check-up. Watch for symptoms of hip pain, limping, or loss of motion and report these right away. A simple X-ray can diagnose or rule out this condition.