Epiphysial Separation of Femoral Head Due to Undiagnosed Hip Septic Arthritis

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is one of the complications of septic arthritis that occurs rarely in children after septic arthritis of the hip. Septic arthritis is uncommon in neonates and therefore proper assessment and treatment may be problematic. Early treatment of septic arthritis could prevent SCFE.

This complication happened in our patient who was in fact a neglected child due to septic arthritis of the hip and femoral head epiphysis, neck osteomyelitis and delayed treatment. At the time of admission and hospitalization, femoral head was palpable at the lateral side of the middle of thigh and a fistula had been created in that spot.

This phenomenon has been reported as a rare complication of septic arthritis and osteomyelitis. Treatment of these patients is controversial and the long term results are unknown but efforts must be done for early diagnosis and anatomic reduction of femoral epiphysis.