Sequential Traumatic and Non-traumatic Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis in a Young Girl: A Case Report and Review of Diagnostic Challenges

Slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE), also known as slipped capital femoral epiphysis, is a serious adolescent orthopedic condition, with potential for bilateral involvement. While most cases are idiopathic and occur during periods of rapid growth, trauma can unmask underlying physeal instability. We present a rare case of a young girl with a normal body mass index (BMI) who developed a traumatic SUFE in the left hip, followed one year later by a delayed, non-traumatic SUFE in the right hip. The delayed diagnosis of contralateral hip involvement underscores the diagnostic complexities of early or subtle SUFE and the importance of ongoing clinical vigilance, even in the presence of normal radiographs. This case supports a more proactive surveillance approach for the contralateral hip in pediatric SUFE patients.