I am a 42 year old male who has just recently learned that I have developed severe osteoarthritis in my hips. It appears the arthritis was cause by Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE).
I'm not sure how or when the SCFE developed. When I was growing I never had any of the symptoms of the disease. I was also not obese or had any known thyroid or other endocrine problems, which I understand may contribute to the cause of the disease.
The only thing I can think of that might have caused the problem was that I started martial art training when I was 16 years old.
One thing I am wondering is how unusual is it for this to happen, where someone does not have any symptoms of this disease, and find out much later in life they had this problem.
It is my understanding that the best way to treat the problem is with early detection. Given, that did not happen for me. what can be expected for coping with it? I've been martial art for the past 26 years, and I would like to find something that could allow me to keep maintain my ability as much as possibly.
I would very much like to avoid hip replacement surgery. It would be nice if there was any kind of procedure that could actually correct the deformity caused by the slippage. I don't know how likely that is.
What do people know about advances and research going on to try and repair or correct SCFE?
I am 52 and had this exact problem at age 16. In hospital for two weeks getting both hips pinned and then a wheel chair for 3 months, etc. From my experience/research I do not know of any "corrective" procedures. I have been following this site for about 12 months as I know that re-surfacing is in my near future. I have gone as long as I think I can and now the discomfort is becoming more of a problem. I also do not want to wait too long as many posts here suggest may be a problem if you do. There are a few of us out here that have the SCFE. Unfortunately I don't think I have given you anymore info. than you probably already have. FYI, I have had one phone conversation with Dr. Gross after his review of my x-rays. He did not see an issue, at that time, with HR for me.
PJ