Slipped upper femoral epiphysis

Slipped upper femoral epiphysis

A slipped upper femoral epiphysis classically occurs in a child approaching puberty . It is easily missed as symptoms may be mild and the predominant symptom may be knee pain referred from the hip. A history of trauma may be o ff ered and the child may limp. Examination of the limb reveals a hip that flexes into exter - - nal rotation. Radiographs should include a good lateral view of the femoral head and neck ( Figure 32.30 ). If the radio - graphs are normal, consider an MRI, looking f or a preslip; if found, consider prophylactic fixation. If treated in the early stages, the prognosis is very good. A severely displaced slipped upper femoral epiphysis might lead to avascular necrosis of the femoral head and chondrolysis. This is a very di ffi cult condi - tion to treat e ff ectively in young patients. Slipped upper femoral epiphysis

A slipped upper femoral epiphysis classically occurs in a child approaching puberty . It is easily missed as symptoms may be mild and the predominant symptom may be knee pain referred from the hip. A history of trauma may be o ff ered and the child may limp. Examination of the limb reveals a hip that flexes into exter - - nal rotation. Radiographs should include a good lateral view of the femoral head and neck ( Figure 32.30 ). If the radio - graphs are normal, consider an MRI, looking f or a preslip; if found, consider prophylactic fixation. If treated in the early stages, the prognosis is very good. A severely displaced slipped upper femoral epiphysis might lead to avascular necrosis of the femoral head and chondrolysis. This is a very di ffi cult condi - tion to treat e ff ectively in young patients. Slipped upper femoral epiphysis

A slipped upper femoral epiphysis classically occurs in a child approaching puberty . It is easily missed as symptoms may be mild and the predominant symptom may be knee pain referred from the hip. A history of trauma may be o ff ered and the child may limp. Examination of the limb reveals a hip that flexes into exter - - nal rotation. Radiographs should include a good lateral view of the femoral head and neck ( Figure 32.30 ). If the radio - graphs are normal, consider an MRI, looking f or a preslip; if found, consider prophylactic fixation. If treated in the early stages, the prognosis is very good. A severely displaced slipped upper femoral epiphysis might lead to avascular necrosis of the femoral head and chondrolysis. This is a very di ffi cult condi - tion to treat e ff ectively in young patients.