Patient Information Leaflet
Irritable hip or transient synovitis
You have been given this leaflet because the doctors suspect that your child may have irritable hip or transient synovitis.
What is irritable hip or transient synovitis?
Irritable hip is inflammation (swelling) of the membrane lining the hip joint. It is the most common cause of hip pain in young children. It is most often seen in boys aged between two and 12 and twice as many boys than girls are affected.
What are the symptoms?
It usually presents with a sudden onset of a limp which may or may not be painful. There may be some restriction of movement in one of the hip joints. In some cases, the pain can spread to the thigh, groin and knee.
What causes it?
It is not clear what causes it, although in some cases your child will have had a viral infection, such as a cold or sore throat, in the previous week or so. Sometimes, the condition occurs as a result of a fall or injury.
Is it serious?
As a parent, it can be very worrying if your child is diagnosed with irritable hip and is struggling to walk. However, the condition is often short lived and has no further complications. It usually goes away without treatment after one to two weeks. Complete rest during this period is usually all that is needed. Antibiotics are not indicated as this condition is non infective.
What are the complications?
There are usually no complications and the condition very rarely returns. Your doctor will recommend that your child does not play sports or do any strenuous activity for at least two weeks after treatment.
What can I do to make my child feel better?
1. If your child is in pain, painkillers (paracetamol or anti-inflammatory drugs (called NSAIDS (eg) ibuprofen) can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 and ibuprofen should be used with caution if your child has a history of asthma or wheeze which seems to get worse with NSAID use.
2. It is essential that your child completely rests at home. The most comfortable and painless position is lying on the back with the knee bent outwards slightly on the painful side and the foot pointed away from the body
3. Please make an appointment for your child with your GP in a week’s time.
4. If your child shows no improvement in symptoms by 2 weeks, we would recommend that your child is reviewed by their GP for possible orthopaedic referral as further investigations may be required.
If you have any further questions, please speak to the doctor/ nurse looking after your child.