SCFE and its effects years later...

[Bethany88]

I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has had surgery for SCFE as a child and is now suffering from early onset arthritis and constant hip pain. I am 29 years old and has two surgeries to repair SCFE when I was 10 and 13. I was slightly overweight (not obese) as a child, which I have been told was a contributing factor. I was told to resume normal physical activity shortly after the second surgery, which I had done and continue to do. At 28, after vigorous weight training workouts, I began experiencing sharp groin and dull outer hip pain, and after finally going to see a doctor have been given a pretty crappy prognosis. The doctors seem to think that I have begun feeling the effects of arthritis and are talking eventual hip replacement as soon as 10 years from now. Is there anyone to whom this has happened? If so, how have you gone about physically making the best of it? What courses of action have you taken (cortisone, arthroscopic surgery, etc?) I just want some guidance from someone who has been through it, not a doctor telling me what "could" happen. Thanks.

[Therealbatman]

I had bilateral SCFE surgeries as well. Go see a physical therapist! The can help with sacral alignment, walking gate and muscle balance which can all reduce symptoms of arthritis and keep your hip healthy longer. Cortisone is great but you should definitely do it in random with other rehabilitation. If you typically run, bike instead. If you like to play soccer, switch to water polo, look for thinks that are low impact. Some bizarre but totally true nutrition tips: make your own chicken soup once a month and literally boil the chicken, bones and all. It's a delicious way to get the amino acids and fatty acids you need to support joint health. Also, try taking a glucosamine tablet and an antionflamatory every day. Switching to a low inflammation diet (they do exist and do work) can also help! GET A FOOD ALLERGY PANEL! I was diagnosed with arthritis in my knees at age 21.... as it turns out I'm just allergic to night shade plants.

[viveanl]

Yes very painfull

[tabascouk]

Hello, I had SCFE on both hips age 10 in 1979. I was a tall skinny girl who was always running around, riding my bike and playing sports. I started to get pains in my knees I was told by the Dr it was "growing" pains. Over tge next 6 months the pain then started to go to my hips more so my right side. I was limping really badly I got around by riding my bike.  I got x rayed again nothing showed up. I was a child who had no problem getting out of bed . I remember vividly my mum calling me to cone down for my breakfast. I couldn't  weight bear at all. My Mum phoned the GP who wrote an admittance letter to the sick children's Hospital in Edinburgh.  A neighbour carried me out to the car. We were at the sick children's hospital for hours. I was x rayed again nothing showed up. They wanted to send me home for bed rest. My mum put her foot down and told the Drs she couldn't do that as she had been through back surgery after giving birth to me. As this was going on another Dr happened to pass and said he saw a shadow on my x-ray. They x rayed me in the frog position. There was SCFE in its full glory on both hips. One hip had fully slipped the other was a partial slip. I was transferred to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary put on traction and operated on the very next day both hips at the sane time as they were worried how long the severe slip had been like that.

I had three pins put in each hip and 60cm scars down each leg. Two weeks after the operation I started to Lear to walk again using a Zimmer frame them graduating on to crutches. I was on crutches for 9 months and had my hips regularly x rayed up untill I was 16.

I returned to normal  playing sports undertaking challenge hikes walking over hills with heavy back packs for 24 hours. At age 18 I started to get what to pains in one of my hips from time to time. At age 25 it got worse and I had the pins partially removed both hips again at the sane time with a period recuperation. After that I have suffered no pain in my hips and lead a normal and healthy life and can be just as active as anyone else. The only thing I have noticed is my right hip can't rotate properly when doing the leg movements in the breast stroke it's not painful it just looks strange when I am swimming. I walk normally with no limp. It certainly didn't affect my leg growth as I am fairly tall at 5ft 9 and have an inside leg of 33 inches.

I will be turning 50 next year I was told people suffering from SUFE can getting early onset of arthritis in the hips. I have no indication of that so far. However that does worry me as to the future  as I want to keep active and mobile. I feel blessed and lucky.

[Sugar_Bliss_Spa]

WOW - So I just did a search on this because when I was 13 my femur bone slipped from my pelvic socket and now at 44 I'm feeling the same feelings I did when I was a teenager. My mom thought it was "growing pains" because it came and went! It seemed to come on anytime I needed to do chores (LOL) Anyway - I'm beginning to feel those pains again. I guess I need to go see a doctor :(

[Bethany88]

I will be getting my second arthroscopy soon. When I first posted this 10 years ago, I didn't know I needed a hip scope. I had one in 2009, it helped for a bit, then I got pregnant and everything basically went to ****. I am now "in between hip replacement and hip scope," but the doc thinks a second scope will help. I am in even more pain than I had been before the first scope - I guess age does that to ya! I'm going to be 39 next month. I understand that if this is the worst thing to happen to me, I am pretty damn lucky, though. But still, walking between 2 and 8 miles a day at work isn't helping things.

[specialmom]

Wow, it's awesome you came back to update!!  I'm glad to hear you are doing well!

[leeannemac]

I also had this done when I WAS 13 I'm now 24, my hips lock up and click and I can't walk to far.. I struggled when I was carrying my son as was bed ridden for last two months as couldn't walk at all. I suffer with athritis now and in the winter the pain is unbearable I'm writing this now And I'm in agony. Why pain relief do u guys use?

[5gabejack7]

I am 16 years old, I have had 2 surgeries in the past 11 months because I have SCFE  when I was in the 6th grade the doctor miss diagnosed it and I went 3 years with it. I just would like to know how you guys get through it because I am going to have to have a hip replacement in a few months.

[Melo22437]

I had pins put in my left hip in the spring of 2000 then my right hip in the summer of 2000 I was 15! It was so painful walking before and the doctor originally thought growing pains.. I’ve had a pretty normal life except for the visits to the lady doctor my hips don’t fall to the side like normal. When I got the pins put in the doctor warned me I will need hip replacement by 50 years old but if I never got the pins by 20 I would’ve needed it. I’m 32 now and feel pain here and there only in my left hip the one that was worse off... most times it’s just a little achy but somedays like today it causes me to stop in my tracks the pain is so sharp.... guess it’s just part of the process

[insitnctuallion]

Hi im 25 yr old man. Left hipped slipped at age 7 had both hips pinned after only a couple weeks of constant pain. (both parents being medically trained help with me getting diagnosed)
Was kind of a chubby child but then spent a lot of my time exercising and eating rather healthily. Ive always had pain in both hips, left more than right, but was told its nothing as ive always been big regardless of amount of exercise which was limited due to increase in pain during use.
Its got to the point now where i cant work and can barely walk down the road without being in pain as well as affecting many other areas of my life.
Im with the orthopedics now and all they have done so far is give me and mri scan and talk about a steroid injection directly into the bone. If that is not successful then it'll have to be a replacement.
I have trouble managing the pain due to intolerance to many of the pain meds i've been prescribed. Im unsure as to how things will work out and even more unsure if i'll be able to start work again.
i wish i could give a more positive experience but SCFE can really screw with you in later life if you're not careful and sometimes even if you are.

[leeannemac]

What pain relief was you using? As I'm in a lot of pain with my chronic athritis from scfe had the them both pinned at 13 now 24 and pain relief I'm.on ain't helping

[carritas6]

My first hip went when i was 11. i hobbled around for months because the doctor believed it was a muscle strain or growing pains. When they finally seen it on the xray it was almost so severe i couldnt stand. I was taken in and a screw put in place to fix it. We were warned the other hip could go the same way and lo and behold a year later it went. 2 or 3 years after that i was taken back in to have the screws removed. They felt it was better that way and to be honest i had no problems other than lack of movement (cant open legs too wide, cant stick hip out properly as to carry an infant and my right leg faces out a little) . When i turned 23? i had some pain when walking for too long or sitting in the same postition studying. i went back to hospital and MRI scanned and they felt it was early onset arthritis caused by my procedure. They offered to do an arthroscopic clean up of the joint but due to healing time i couldnt afford to take the time just then. i lost a little weight and the pain seemed to subside. Now im 30 and the only time it hurts is when i do a 12 hour shift out of the blue. I am a nurse and if im not used to it im like an old woman doubled over trying to get home. this doesnt happen often i would say 3 times total. My point is im still young but i havem't had too many noticable problems and i know there are some options if it gets bad in the future. Don't panic if your kid is undergoing this. Its not always a bad outcome. Im pretty happy with how mine has turned out.

[Rhyss]

I was diagnosed with SCFE when I was 12 years old and was in emergency surgery 2 days later, I was highly active and a little over weight. The doctor told me I needed crutches for 7 weeks and no physical activity for 3 months after having both hips pinned but after that I was straight back to normal. I am now 22 and since then I have played regular rugby, tennis, squash and now I have been boxing for 2 years which involves running 6km 4 times a week aswell as plenty of leg workouts during the week. Ive personally never had an issue apart from flexibility, I make sure to stretch my hips and legs out after every workout and keep a healthy diet so Im not carrying unnecessary weight and Im problem free for now. No pain or aches  ( my hips used to click but since being very active with boxing there is no issue) only a little stiffness if I dont stretch properly but my life has been uneffected to date,I am still young and 10 years time will be the real test but Ill worry about that then. If you or your child is worried about  the repercussions of the surgery, dont be. Listen too your body, do what you can do and don't let it hold you back.

[jotlyn]

Hi I know you replied a while ago but maybe you will see this. How long did you wait until running/sports after surgery?

[feefee79]

I too was diagnosed with SCFE in 1991. I had my left hip pinned 25 years ago when I was 12 years old.  As of a few weeks ago, about 6 weeks to be exact, I had a hip resurfacing done.  I had a lot of arthritis and had on and off pain for the last few years.  I begin to develop a more noticeable limp before the hip resurfacing surgery.  I am still waiting to see how my recovery goes.  It is okay so far but I have experienced some numbness in a portion of my operated leg.  It is slowly going away.  Hopefully all will be well after more time passes.

[feefee79]

I too was diagnosed with SCFE in 1991. I had my left hip pinned 25 years ago when I was 12 years old.  As of a few weeks ago, about 6 weeks to be exact, I had a hip resurfacing done.  I had a lot of arthritis and had on and off pain for the last few years.  I begin to develop a more noticeable limp before the hip resurfacing surgery.  I am still waiting to see how my recovery goes.  It is okay so far but I have experienced some numbness in a portion of my operated leg.  It is slowly going away.  Hopefully all will be well after more time passes.

[Stomper123]

I had SCFE in 1969 and had my left hip pinned. While the surgery was largely successful I was left with a leg  that rotated outwards and with one leg shorter than the other.  At the age of 28 I started to experience severe pain in my hip again and was diagnosed with arthritis with bone rubbing on bone. My  orthopaedic surgeon recommended my best course of action would be a femoral osteotomy . I  subsequently had this surgery and have had 30 pain free years. I ran, did Zumba, Body Jam, Body Combat and played tennis . Only in the past couple of months have I started getting pain in my hip again and look like having a hip replacement.

[SturgeJ17]

I had my left hip pinned when I was 12, they said the chance of the other one going was 70% but it looked good so we just did the one. One leg is now slightly taller than the other, so I have a slight limp, its barely noticeable. Im 23 now, every now and again I will get sharp pains or aching but nothing too bad. As of recently, my hip cracks or clicks with sharp pain but only for a moment. I was told when I got the pin that I could be a candidate for a hip replacement in the future.

[ThePegleg]

Strange the original question was asked in 2008 & Sturge (above) & I are online for the same issue.

I had my surgery on my left hip 23 years ago aged 13. Late diagnosis, so my hip had slipped to quite a degree. Problem sorted, still have had pain, left leg slightly shorter (so a minor limp). My biggest regret was a slight loss in mobility, awkward running & unable to ride a bike (hip turns my leg outward when lifting knee up - very painful & really miss cycling).

23 years on, I can walk (joy!). But hip mobility seems worse, the shorter leg limp has contributed to awful back pain & my damn hip clicks like a mutha. These issues may well be contributed to carrying one too many pounds but I'm considering getting an assessment. Some sort of yoga might be on the cards & physio.

Overall, it's really interesting to hear similar stories. I thought I was the only burgeoning cripple (friends don't understand) but there are some shocking stories out there, so it ain't so bad.

[FrostHip]

I am now 30 years old. However, I had my hips pinned 1 year apart when I was 10 and 11.

All I can say is that I now have advanced osteoarthritis in my left hip and mild in my right. The knee pain is excruciating. I suffer every day and my quality of life is zero. I am extremely depressed and many surgeons have turned me away because I am too young for a THR.

I have an appointment with another surgeon on July 20th and I am scared he will also say no. They truly don't do enough research on the effects of SCFE later on in life. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons fix up the kids and then forget about them. As adults we struggle to find a surgeon who will help us. It is a true nightmare. :(

[AboutToLoseIt]

I know your struggles all too well and I'm sorry you're going through this as well. I've had a THR at age 30, then 2 more all in a period of 2 years. My first THR broke during a seizure and my second came loose. I'm now 42 and suffer daily from pain in numerous joints and now having severe back trouble from years of limping. I'd like to know how you are doing now and "compare notes".

[jprice125]

For the parents: the advice I was given at age 20 was to stay active, but to listen to my body. And that is what I did. I'm now 39 and have had issues off-an-on, but the activity has pushed the symptoms out longer, says an orthopod a few years back.

I had my left hip pinned at 12 and the pins removed at 13 due to a SCFE. I came on this site as I've had various orthopedic issues over the years and I know it all relates back to the hip. My hip is degenerating and I will get arthritis and a new hip eventually, I've come to terms with that. But I stay active, until I have an issue. Most recently, my lower back went out on me. And all I was doing was reaching for something on the floor. Frustrating!  I'm going to a consult next week with a new orthopod, as it seems my issues have been increasing the past two years (the kickboxing I do has nothing to do with that, I'm sure!). But it is helpful to read others's stories.

And to the kids.....you'll get through this. You will be limited in activity. But once you're cleared, stay active. And one thing I wished I'd done more of early on was YOGA. My range of motion is fine for having the issue, but it isn't where I want it. And as you get older, trying to get more flexible in the hips gets harder. STRETCH to go along with your activities.

Take care eveyone.....JP

[QueenJean18]

is there a facebook page to stay connected with people whom have similar issues as I do??

[whiteclematis]

I am 58 this year. I too had both my hips pinned when I was 12, One was because the surgeon explained it was likely to happen to my other hip. Two years later I had the pins removed. Throughout that time and sometime after the last operation I was not allowed to do PE at school. I think it has made me not as fit as I should be, nowadays this would not be the case.
I felt really good after the operations once up on my feet again and have had many good years that nobody would ever guess I had ever had hip problems if they did not see my scars. The scars were for me as a young girl quite a problem, I was very self concious and went from loving swimming to never going. I'd never sit on a beach in a swimsuit either, I notice the scars from people having this op over 40 years later are so much better. These days I dont care so much about it. Also Like somone else says I could not sit cross legged and there were some restrictions where I did not have the flexibility of others but I could hide it in most situations by doing things a different way. I had babies no problem.
It is in later years I now have arthritis in my knees, I have good and bad days, it is also slightly in my hips, they get fixed in bed at times, but my knees are the worse. I am told I am too young for a knee replacement and from what I see of friends who have had knee replacements not many are that successful. I am overweight and feel lack of exercise in my youth has not helped with managing it and if I could get more willpower going I'm sure losing weight would help the arthritis.
To look at me you would see I am overweight but on the days my knee pain is at bay nobody would know I had any other problems.
If I can help anyone please ask.

[Mandy558]

Hi just read you're article on you're hips bein pinned.my daughter had hers pinned five months ago.She's gettin around . On a Zimmer frame as she don't like the crutches how long is . It before she will walk UN aided

[MelisH16]

I'm 26, never had my hip pinned as they said it had already started fusing. I'm pretty much ok most of the time but do get the stiffness & pain & sometimes can notice my limp. Obviously have very limited rotation & can't cross legs etc but this comes with the condition so all good. I do however get a lot of loud clicking/stiffness in the 'good side' of my hip possibly due to it having to overcompensate.

Now I'm noticing complete numbness in part of my foot down the affected side of my hip - wondering if anyone else has this? Thanks

[yannicomino]

hi jason

my name is yanni i am 16 years old and also have a Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis, im doing my research project for school on the mental social and physical affects the injury can have on someone, if its fine with you id love to contact you to ask a few questions, this would help towards my sources, thankyou

[Steph_1418]

I am 29 , nearly 30. I had both hips pinned at the age of 11 and 12. It was the left hip that was bad. They done the right as said it could also slip. I hated school always felt left out because I couldn't take part in sport, could sit on the floor and cross my legs, having to leave school early to attend hospital.  Hated the scars on me. From the time this started until now I have struggled. The left hip is ruined had an X-ray in the summer as I was waking up in the night and could not move the left hip had "locked" I literally could not move for 10-30 mins. I had surgery in August 2015 on the left hip because the hip is deformed and the cartilage was badly torn, they said they want to try and keep my hip for as long as possible because of my age. I have tried to go to the gym and do something I enjoy but it's a struggle can hardly move the left leg it doesn't move far and is painful. Yes people have far worst things going on but this is something that has been apart of my life for nearly 20 years and it has effected me physically, emotionally and mentally. R

[pinkbrone]

My daughter hips was pinned n now she is in a lot of pain am so worried I look it up on the net but dont get any main reason that could cause it.and someone give me some more info on it please

[Nicetrousers]

You don't know how similar my issues are to yours it's uncanny because you could be writing that on my behalf.
I had SCFE on my left hip at age 13 but both hips were operated on at the same time. The specialists reasoning was that the right hip might slip later so doing both was recommended and considered the norm.
I was not overweight, slightly under if anything and was sports mad. Anything the school offered cricket, rugby, football, basketball I would be there.
Now I struggle to walk a normal gait without some sort of discomfort.
I am now 53, have run my own business for the last 30 years but am not able to enjoy sport to the level I would like. We went water skiing last summer with some friends, I had two attempts at getting upright but fell, each time I struggled after falling in, to put the skis back on in the water because I could not lift my left leg near enough to me to get it attached. Its like shoelace tying its such a huge effort & very very uncomfortable, I actually start to sweat !
My day is full of covert massage to my left hip/ lower back as this alleviates for short periods of time the constant nag nag pain I get.
I've seen doc today & hip replacement next step. Not overly excited at the outcome post-op to be honest. I feel my muscles around left hip area to not be anywhere as strong as the right side, trouble when bending, picking up anything from shoes litter etc the bias is to go over the stronger hip rendering the weaker side even weaker through lack of muscle use.
I also think I have mild depression, not diagnosed but I do get quite down with this  every day. I dont show it however !
For anyone suffering a far worse illness and far more debilitating I do not consider I am trivialising your suffering. I only wanted to make my experiences of this condition apparent to others. Hope this has enlightened you. Paul from the UK .

[Nicetrousers]

Hi, I can feel your frustration as if it was my own. I'm 53 now and had both hips pinned ay 12 even though one was unaffected. I was told the unaffected one may slip later that's why that did it. I was sport mad, underweight if anything. I really struggle with the affected left hip now, range of movement is poor, constant pain even overnight occasionally. To sit cross legged now is a pipe dream !. I have my own business and try to be as active during work & leisure as is possible but I really am limited. I am always massaging the hip/lower back area throughout the day as it helps but not for long. I regularly stretch but because of my poor range of left hip movement can't do the strengthening exercises recommended correctly to improve. I think I suffer from mild depression because of all this, although I have not been diagnosed with it & I try my best not to let on I am in constant pain. Osteoarthritis has now also set in and my hip can give way on occasion. I have today (14/01/2016) booked a GP appt as I am a very fit chap & feel my life is suffering. I do not wish to down play anybody with a more serious & debilitating condition but having had pain for almost the last 20 years feel I am entitled to share my experience of this condition.
Paul (UK)