Causes

The causes underlying a slipped capital femoral epiphysis are not known. It is believed that increasing forces onto the growing hip will cause the slipping of the less stable epiphysis above the firmer femoral metaphysis. The pathology does not require an injury to develop, however a traumatic event can trigger the onset of the disease. A slipped capital femoral epiphysis has a bilateral occurrence in 20-40% of cases. Obesity is recognised as a causative factor due to the increased pressure of the weight on the hip joint