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Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (Hip Growth Plate Slip in Teens)

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) occurs when the ball of the hip (femoral head) slips backward off the growth plate during adolescence - it most commonly affects overweight teenagers aged 10-16 years during rapid growth spurts, causing hip, groin, or knee pain and limping, requiring urgent surgery within 24 hours to pin the femoral head in place and prevent catastrophic complications like avascular necrosis.

📅Last reviewed: January 2026đŸĨBones & Joints

📖What is Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (Hip Growth Plate Slip in Teens)?

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) occurs when the ball of the hip (femoral head) slips backward off the growth plate during adolescence - it most commonly affects overweight teenagers aged 10-16 years during rapid growth spurts, causing hip, groin, or knee pain and limping, requiring urgent surgery within 24 hours to pin the femoral head in place and prevent catastrophic complications like avascular necrosis.

đŸ”ŦWhat Causes It?

  • Weakened growth plate during rapid adolescent growth spurt (growth plate unable to support body weight)
  • Obesity causing increased shear forces across growth plate (80-90% of SCFE patients are obese)
  • Hormonal factors (low sex hormones, high growth hormone creating weak growth plate)
  • Mechanical stress during activities (jumping, running) causing slip in weakened growth plate
  • Endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency) in 5-10%

⚠ī¸Risk Factors

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You may be at higher risk if:

  • Obesity (BMI above 95th percentile for age - 80-90% of SCFE patients)
  • Age 10-16 years (peak growth spurt period)
  • Male gender (2-3 times more common than females)
  • African or Pacific Islander ancestry (2-3 times higher incidence)
  • Endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency, hypogonadism)

🛡ī¸Prevention

  • ✓Maintain healthy weight (obesity strongest modifiable risk factor)
  • ✓Regular physical activity and healthy diet during adolescence
  • ✓Screen for endocrine disorders if SCFE occurs (treat hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency)
  • ✓Early recognition of symptoms (see doctor promptly for hip or knee pain in at-risk teenagers)