[Slipped capital femoral epiphysis-etiology and pathogenesis]

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is the most significant hip disease in adolescence. Because of its typical occurrence at the time of the pubertal growth spurt and some particular clinical symptoms, it has been a topic of special interest in orthopedic research for a long time. A large number of etiological factors have been described, however their meaning in detail is still controversial.

After a short summary of the structure and function of the epiphysis, an overview of concepts in the pathogenesis of SCFE is given.

A selective review of literature was performed.

Etiology of SCFE includes genetic, endocrinologic, histochemical and biomechanical factors. During puberty, obesity together with reduced femoral antetorsion are the main risk factors for the disease. The rarer atypical SCFE is closely related to metabolic disorders or other chronical diseases. The pathogenesis is characterized by the disproportion between the load-bearing capacity of the epiphysis and the acting forces on the proximal femur.

The concept of the multifactorial etiology of SCFE is convincing. The susceptibility of the femoral epiphysis is explained considering the remarkable biomechanic local forces. The initial damage can be shown on the histological and the histochemical level. Important new aspects refer to the leptin-metabolism. However, in the majority of cases, biomechanical factors seem to be more significant than endocrinological phenomena. A complete understanding has not succeeded to date.