Which condition presents with sudden onset of limp in a child and is characterized by displacement of the femoral head?

The correct diagnosis for a condition that presents with a sudden onset of limp in a child, characterized by displacement of the femoral head, is indeed slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). This condition typically occurs during periods of rapid growth, usually in adolescents, and is marked by displacement of the femoral head due to slippage at the growth plate (physis).

SCFE generally presents with hip pain or referred knee pain, and on examination, the affected child may have limited internal rotation and abduction of the hip. The sudden onset of limp is often a result of acute slippage, which can occur following a minor injury or sometimes spontaneously.

In cases of SCFE, early recognition and treatment are critical to prevent long-term complications such as avascular necrosis of the femoral head and severe hip joint dysfunction. Standard management usually involves surgical intervention to stabilize the femoral head and prevent further slippage.

Transient synovitis may also cause a limp and hip pain in children, but it is typically characterized by joint inflammation without the physical displacement of the femoral head. Developmental dysplasia of the hip usually is detected earlier in infancy and involves abnormal formation of the hip joint rather than an acute limp with displacement. Perthes