When should you worry about limping with slipped capital femoral epiphysis?

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis affects the growth area of the hip. The child may limp, turn the leg outward, or report pain in the hip, groin, thigh, or knee. Symptoms can build gradually or appear suddenly. Because continued weight on the hip may worsen the slip, a limp should be treated as a reason to stop sports and arrange assessment rather than watched through normal activity.

Keep the child off the affected leg until a clinician gives clear advice. Do not allow running, jumping, sports, or repeated walking to test the hip. Arrange urgent medical evaluation and mention when the limp began, which side is affected, whether pain is felt in the knee, and whether the child can bear weight safely.

Seek urgent care for a sudden limp, inability to bear weight, severe hip or knee pain, or rapidly increasing symptoms. Emergency help is appropriate after a fall with deformity, or if the leg becomes cold, pale, numb, or markedly shortened. Fever with a hot swollen joint also needs urgent evaluation because it may indicate another serious hip problem.

Ask whether the child must remain non-weight-bearing, whether the other hip needs checking, and which movements are unsafe. Ask how to travel to assessment safely and what symptoms should trigger emergency help.