Primary Hypothyroidism Presenting as Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis in an Adult Patient : A Case Report and Review of Literature

INTRODUCTION: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is rare in adults and is often associated with endocrine pathology. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 21-year-old male presenting with an acute on chronic left hip SCFE who was diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism on the investigation. The patient was treated for hypothyroidism and positional reduction with in-situ fixation was carried out with two cannulated cancellous screws for the SCFE. At the latest follow-up of 30 months, patient remains asymptomatic, euthyroid, with a nearly full range of motion in the hips, significant functional improvement, fused physis on radiographs, and no signs of avascular necrosis. CONCLUSION: SCFE is a potentially devastating but avoidable complication in children/adults with the endocrine disorder and there may be a possible role for a screening pelvic radiograph in detecting this condition earlier.