Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)

SCFE:

most common hip disorder among adolescents

SCFE usually occurs around:

8-15yrs

What’s happening in SCFE?

capital femoral epiphysis slips thru the epiphysis in a posterior direction

Capital femoral epiphysis:

top of the femur

Epiphysis:

growth plate

Who is at a higher risk for SCFE?

males, obese children

Conditions associated w/ SCFE:

hypothyroidism, renal osteodystrophy, postradiation therapy

S/S of SCFE:

appear gradually; acute present less than 3 wks; chronic present more than 3 wks; pain in groin, child complains of pain during internal rotation of the hip, hip doesn’t fully rotate internally, adduction is limited,

Dx of SCFE:

radiograph shows mild step-off of the anterior femoral epiphysis w/ corresponding metaphysis in a posteroinferior direction

Prevention of SCFE:

none bc it’s idiopathic

Nursing care for SCFE:

no weight-bearing, help fam adjust to hospitalization, no ROM for acute slip

Goal of nursing care for SCFE:

prevent further slippage