NPTE Musculoskeletal Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your MSK Exam!

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) predominantly occurs in older children, particularly during adolescence, typically between the ages of 10 to 16 years. This condition arises when there is a displacement of the femoral head due to slippage at the growth plate, making it most common in children who are experiencing growth spurts.

During this developmental phase, factors such as hormonal changes can lead to increased vulnerability of the growth plate, resulting in SCFE. It is particularly noteworthy that SCFE is associated with obesity and certain endocrine disorders, which are more prevalent during childhood and adolescence.

While the condition can manifest in younger children or may be seen too in adults who have experienced it during their youth, the defining age range when SCFE is most prevalent is during the later childhood years leading into adolescence. Thus, identifying this peak age group is critical for timely diagnosis and management of the condition.