Why are frog leg x-ray views important to obtain when evaluating for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE)?

Early on in the disease process the femoral metaphysis shifts anterosuperior relative to the epiphysis. AP views of the hip may be normal initially with slippage first noted on the frog leg (lateral) view.


Sources

The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Resource. 4th ed.

Adam: Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology, 5th ed.