classification of slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Last reviewed 01/2018

Traditionally slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) has been classified according to the duration of symptoms into acute, chronic and acute-on-chronic (1).
But more recently SCFE has been classified according to weight bear on the affected leg:

  • stable -
    • patient is able to ambulate with or without the help of crutches
    • responsible for about 90 % of all slips
    • has a better prognosis when compared to unstable SCFE
  • unstable -
    •  patient is unable to ambulate even with crutches
    • complications rate is higher than in stable SCFE (2)

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