In SCFE, the pain may present in which locations and accompany what gait abnormality?

• A. Headache with limping
• B. Ankle pain with trendelenburg gait
• C. Hip, thigh, or knee pain with a limp.
• D. Chest pain with reluctance to walk

Answer: (C)

SCFE typically presents with pain from the hip region, often described as hip or groin pain, but it can be felt in the thigh or knee due to referred pain from the hip joint. The pain leads to an antalgic limp as the child avoids weight bearing on the affected side and the hip’s motion becomes limited, especially internal rotation. This combination—hip/groin pain that can radiate to the thigh or knee plus a limp—is the classic presentation.

The other options don’t fit because headaches, ankle or chest pain, or a Trendelenburg gait are not the common or primary manifestations of SCFE. A Trendelenburg gait can reflect hip abductor weakness but is not the typical presenting pattern for SCFE, and SCFE’s pain localizes to the hip area with possible knee involvement, not the chest, head, or ankle as primary sites.