Slipped upper femoral epiphysis in a child with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda: a rare coincidence?

Abstract

We present a report of a child with Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda (SED) presenting with non-traumatic, insidious onset hip pain with limited internal rotation. Radiographs revealed a left sided stable slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE). To our knowledge an association between these two pathologies has not been reported previously in the literature and hence a tentative commom etiopathogenesis between SED and SUFE is discussed. Patients who have SED often develop hip pain as part of the natural history of the condition. This case highlights the need to be vigilant regarding the potential for SUFE as a cause of hip pain rather than attributing it to the dysplasia itself in these patients.