Progression from minimal stable/chronic to unstable/acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Anteroposterior view of the hip (panel A) demonstrating minimal stable/chronic SCFE on the left. Widening, lucency, and irregularity of the physis and blurring of the junction between the physis and the metaphysis are present in panel A. The child was sent home after these radiographs. Four days later, the patient returned with an unstable/acute SCFE (panel B), highlighting the importance of urgent management and avoidance of weight bearing until orthopedic evaluation.