A familial case series of valgus slipped capital femoral epiphysis

We present a familial case of valgus slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). Charts of members of the same family having the condition were retrieved. Clinical and radiological examinations were conducted after 10 years of the initial presentation and treatment. Two siblings, brother and sister, were initially diagnosed with valgus SCFE and treated surgically. Normal clinical examination was found for both siblings and both, treated and untreated hips. A radiological examination for the parents revealed signs of valgus SCFE in both hips of the mother. No association with metabolic, hormonal or neurological conditions was found. The review of the literature demonstrated that varus SCFE has a strong familial tendency. Our case series would suggest that, as in the classical SCFE, genetic inheritance could also be a contributing factor to valgus SCFE. Future radiological studies are needed to look for the true incidence of valgus SCFE in first- and second-degree relatives.