Pediatric Patients With Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis With Knee Pain

The nurse practitioner has a pivotal role in identifying/diagnosing slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) in adolescents. Specific risk factors contribute to the development of SCFE. It is important that the nurse practitioner complete a thorough orthopedic assessment when patients present with a limp, groin, thigh, knee, or hip pain. Patients need to be urgently sent to a pediatric emergency department for surgical intervention. Overlooked symptoms of SCFE can cause significant morbidity. It is imperative that practitioners learn to recognize patients at risk for this common orthopedic condition. Herein we address the epidemiology, symptoms, testing, and treatments for this condition. •There are many differential diagnoses with adolescent knee pain. SCFE for should be one consideration.•Risk factors include obesity, endocrine disorders, age, and race.•Symptoms include groin, hip, thigh, and/or knee pain as well as limp, inability to bear weight, and holding the leg in a position of comfort.•Treatment options all include operative intervention from a simple in situ pinning to joint preservation surgery.