[Slipped capital femoral epiphysis in children].
BACKGROUND
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is among the most common causes of hip problems in childhood and adolescence. Its incidence is increasing due to rising childhood obesity. There are three different types of SCFE, the rarest of which is the acute traumatic slip. Early identification and urgent surgical treatment are necessary to minimise the risk of complications such as avascular necrosis.


METHODS
An overweight 12-year-old boy visited the emergency department complaining of pain in the left hip after falling from his scooter. The patient was unable to bear weight on his left leg and kept the hip in slight exorotation. An X-ray showed a slip of the femoral epiphysis, which was treated by emergency surgery. During short term follow-up there were no signs of complications such as avascular necrosis of the femoral head.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute traumatic slip of the femoral epiphysis is rare. Patients with this condition require urgent surgical treatment to minimise the risk of complications.
Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, afd. Chirurgie, Delft.
Martijn
M
van Gorkom
Bo Jan
BJ
Noordman
R J Dolf
RJ
Westerhuis
Maarten
M
van der Elst
Tessa M
TM
van Ginhoven
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight; D060048:Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphyses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery