What Causes Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis?

Diabetes

Systemic endocrine disorders are considered primary causes for slipped capital femoral epiphysis in children. These endocrine disorders are considered the most common etiology of SCFE except idiopathic. This condition is recognized to be multifactorial, with several factors playing a role in its development. For this reason, current medical guidelines recommend quicker evaluation via radiographic imaging for hip, groin or knee pain in children with endocrine or metabolic disorders, such as diabetes. Around eight percent of the US population, including 187,000 children younger than twenty years old, has been diagnosed with diabetes and the rate of incidence is increasing rapidly. Not only should the above symptoms be monitored closer in adolescents with endocrine disorders, but they should also be monitored closely for a longer period. Forty percent will have slipped capital femoral epiphysis occur on the opposite side within eighteen months.

Get the full details on more slipped capital femoral epiphysis causes now.

Certain Medications

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis must be properly evaluated by a physician. Delays in diagnosis are common, typically the result of the vague presenting symptoms and lack of risk factors. However, the prognosis of SCFE is directly related to how promptly the condition is diagnosed and treated. Proper evaluation of a child with potential slipped capital femoral epiphysis must include a thorough history of the complaint, past medical history, and family history. Through this history, certain medications and nutritional supplements associated with SCFE must be noted. These include growth hormone supplementation, drugs in the gonadotropin-releasing hormone family, and corticosteroids, all of which increase the risk of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Current research indicates that alone these medications and supplements minimally increase the risk, but when coupled with other risk factors, SCFE must be ruled out quickly. The common component these medications share is a chemically-induced alteration in bone health.

Learn more about what can cause slipped capital femoral epiphysis now.