Irritable hip in children

Transient synovitis, better known as irritable hip, is the most common cause of hip pain in children. This temporary condition flares up when the hip joint becomes sore and inflamed. It isn’t a serious condition and should clear up on its own with rest. We don’t yet know why irritable hip develops but your child may be at particular risk after a viral infection or a fall.

Your child might experience a sudden pain in their hip, thigh or knee. They may start to walk with a limp or experience trouble walking, standing or crawling. 

While this condition should clear up with rest, you should take your child to a consultant if they:

• Develop a fever or are otherwise unwell
• Develop an obvious swelling or redness on any part of their hip or leg
• Have increasing or persistent pain that is not relieved by ibuprofen or paracetamol
• Are in pain when they are at rest
• Don’t start to improve within three days or have not recovered fully within two weeks

Getting a diagnosis can help you to rule out other conditions such as septic arthritis, broken bones, Perthes' disease, or slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE).

During a consultation your doctor may:

• Examine your child's hip, leg or knee
• Try to gently move their leg in different directions
• Ask about any recent injuries or illnesses
• Arrange an X-ray

Sometimes a blood test or other scans may also be performed to confirm that nothing more serious needs investigating.

In most cases, your child's condition will improve with rest. Over the counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can also help recovery. 

You can visit our HCA Healthcare UK outpatient centres at The Portland Hospital with your child. Some of our orthopaedic consultants and paediatricians can also be seen at our clinics in Chiswick, Golders Green, Elstree and at The Shard.

Reviewed by Mr Daniel Reed, Specialist Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon