What condition is a 10-year-old boy likely suffering from if he presents with hip and knee pain, a limp, and external rotation of the hip?

The presentation of hip and knee pain, a limp, and external rotation of the hip in a 10-year-old boy is highly suggestive of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). This condition involves a displacement of the femoral head due to slippage at the growth plate (physis), which commonly occurs during periods of rapid growth.

Children with SCFE often present with hip or knee pain, limping, and in many cases, the affected hip may be externally rotated when the child is at rest or standing. The external rotation occurs due to the position of the femoral head, which is no longer properly aligned with the acetabulum.

Typically, SCFE occurs in adolescents and preadolescents around the age of 10-15 years and can be associated with obesity, hormonal changes, and other factors. The diagnosis is usually confirmed through X-rays, which show the characteristic displacement of the femoral head.

In contrast, Osgood-Schlatter disease primarily causes localized knee pain due to irritation of the patellar tendon at the tibial tuberosity, rather than hip and knee pain with external rotation. Transient synovitis usually presents with hip pain, but typically does not result in the same level of