Hip disorders in the adolescent

This article deals with common hip problems in the adolescent age group. Some of these problems, such as slipped capital femoral epiphysis, require urgent surgical treatment. Early detection is essential. Other problems, such as many of the athletic injuries, are less urgent but important to patients who desire rapid return to full athletic capacity. The emphasis here is on understanding the conditions and diagnosis. Surgical options are mentioned but not detailed. Office management, where appropriate, is discussed against the background of the natural history of the conditions. The intended audience is primary care physicians and orthopedic surgeons who may have limited exposure to some of these conditions.