SCFE is the most common hip disorder among young teenagers. SCFE occurs when the cartilage plate (epiphysis) at the top of your child's thighbone (femur) slips out of place.  In a growing child, the plate is what controls the way the top of the thighbone grows. It's also a pivotal part of the hip's ball and socket joint, so slippage of the epiphysis may severely deform your child. Children aged 10-18 are at risk for SCFE, particularly African-American boys, as well as all children who are overweight or athletic. More than one-third of the time, children with SCFE in one hip develop the same condition in the other hip.

Causes
Rapid growth and an imbalance between growth and sex hormones during adolescence may cause this problem. A rapid increase in body weight or height or an acute injury may trigger the beginning of symptoms.

Symptoms
Symptoms usually develop between 8 and 16 years of age, but may begin earlier in girls. Symptoms vary in severity and rapidity of onset. They may begin slowly and fluctuate in a person who has not had any known injury; or they may begin suddenly following an injury. They include tenderness in the hip during the early stages of the condition; vague, intermittent discomfort in the groin, thigh, or knee brought on by walking or running; and limping, especially when tired.

Treatment
It's important to recognize SCFE early and to get your child into treatment right away. A slipped capital femoral epiphysis may lead to deformity and early degenerative arthritis of the hip if not detected early and treated properly.

Surgical Options
Treatment may include traction and surgery. Surgery is less complicated and the outcome is better the sooner it is done. Surgery involves stabilizing your child's hip with pins to stop the SCFE from getting any worse. The pins help the growth plate fuse into place and become stable. Your doctor may also want to pin your child's other hip to prevent it from developing the same problem.