Overview
Epiphysiolysis of the hip, also commonly known as slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), is a condition where the ball at the top of the thigh bone (femur) slips off the neck of the bone at the growth plate. This growth plate is a weaker area of cartilage near the end of the bone that allows bones to grow during childhood and adolescence. When this slip occurs, it causes hip pain, limping, and reduced movement in the affected hip. The condition most often affects adolescents during their growth spurt, typically between ages 10 and 16. The slip can happen gradually over time (stable SCFE) or suddenly (unstable SCFE). In a stable slip, the child can still walk, though often with a limp. In an unstable slip, the pain is severe and the child cannot bear weight on the affected leg. If left untreated, the condition can lead to serious complications including damage to the blood supply of the femoral head (avascular necrosis), early-onset arthritis, and permanent hip deformity. Treatment almost always involves surgery to stabilize the slipped bone using a screw or pin to prevent further slipping. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are critical to achieving the best outcomes. The condition can affect one or both hips, and doctors often monitor the unaffected hip closely because there is a risk of it slipping as well. Most patients do well with timely surgical treatment, though long-term follow-up is important to watch for complications.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Hip pain, often felt in the groin areaKnee pain or thigh pain (referred pain from the hip)Limping or waddling walkDifficulty bearing weight on the affected legOutward turning of the affected legOne leg appearing shorter than the otherStiffness in the hip jointReduced range of motion in the hipPain that worsens with activityInability to walk in severe casesHip pain that comes and goes over weeks or monthsDifficulty running or participating in sports
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Juvenile
Begins in the teen years
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventUniversity of British Columbia
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Epiphysiolysis of the hip.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Epiphysiolysis of the hip.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Epiphysiolysis of the hip.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Epiphysiolysis of the hip
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: SCFE Longitudinal International Prospective Registry
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Epiphysiolysis of the hip
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How severe is the slip, and what type of surgery does my child need?,What is the risk of the other hip being affected, and should we consider preventive treatment?,How long will recovery take, and when can my child return to sports and normal activities?,What are the risks of complications like avascular necrosis, and how will you monitor for them?,Should my child be evaluated for any underlying hormonal or metabolic conditions?,What weight management strategies do you recommend to reduce the risk of further problems?,How often will follow-up visits and X-rays be needed after surgery?
Common questions about Epiphysiolysis of the hip
What is Epiphysiolysis of the hip?
Epiphysiolysis of the hip, also commonly known as slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), is a condition where the ball at the top of the thigh bone (femur) slips off the neck of the bone at the growth plate. This growth plate is a weaker area of cartilage near the end of the bone that allows bones to grow during childhood and adolescence. When this slip occurs, it causes hip pain, limping, and reduced movement in the affected hip. The condition most often affects adolescents during their growth spurt, typically between ages 10 and 16. The slip can happen gradually over time (stable SCFE) o
How is Epiphysiolysis of the hip inherited?
Epiphysiolysis of the hip follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Epiphysiolysis of the hip typically begin?
Typical onset of Epiphysiolysis of the hip is juvenile. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Epiphysiolysis of the hip?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Epiphysiolysis of the hip on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Epiphysiolysis of the hip?
3 specialists and care centers treating Epiphysiolysis of the hip are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.