Hip Synovitis 

Transient synovitis of the hip, also called toxic synovitis, is an inflammation and swelling of the tissues around the hip joint. Usually only one hip is affected. This condition is called “transient” because it lasts only a short time. Transient synovitis of the hip is the most common cause of sudden hip pain in children.

Transient synovitis of the hip usually occurs in children between 3 and 10 years of age. Sometimes it occurs in children younger than 3 years of age. It is more common in boys than in girls.

Cause

Doctors don’t know the exact cause of transient synovitis of the hip. It might be caused by a virus or it might be from an allergic reaction to an infection somewhere else in the body.

Symptoms

The main symptom is pain in the hip. In some children, the hip pain gets worse very quickly. In other children, the hip pain gets worse slowly. At first, the hip pain may be so mild that they don’t know there is something wrong.
When the pain gets bad enough, children who have transient synovitis have a hard time walking. If your child has transient synovitis of the hip, he or she may have pain whenever the hip is moved. Your child may walk with a limp. Because of the pain, your child may have trouble standing.

Some children may have pain of the inner thigh or knee area, instead of around the hip.

Many children who have this condition want to lie on their back with the knee on the side that hurts bent and turned out with their foot pointed away from their body. This position may lessen the pain.

  • Arthritis of the Hip
  • Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis)
  • Bursitis of the Hip
  • Degenerative Joint Disease
  • Femur Shaft Fracture
  • Hip Fracture
  • Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome
  • Gluteus Medius Tear
  • Inflammatory Arthritis of the Hip
  • Labral Tear of the Hip
  • Loose Bodies of the Hip
  • Muscle Strains of the Thigh
  • Snapping Hip
  • Strains of the Hip
  • Synovitis
  • Transient Osteoporosis of the Hip

  • Bone Grafting of the Hip
  • Core Decompression of the Hip
  • Direct Anterior Hip Replacement
  • Femoroacetabular Impingement Surgery
  • Hip Arthroscopy
  • Minimally Invasive Hip Surgery
  • Posterior Total Hip Replacement – VERILAST
  • Revision Total Hip Replacement
  • Total Hip Replacement Surgery – VERILAST

The Orthopedic physicians at Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic provide conservative treatment options for Hip conditions and injuries.

Diagnosis

Physical Examination & Patient History

During your first visit, your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and medical history. During the physical examination, your doctor will check all the structures of your injury, and compare them to your non-injured anatomy.  Most injuries can be diagnosed with a thorough physical examination.

Imaging Tests

Imaging Tests Other tests which may help your doctor confirm your diagnosis include:

X-rays. Although they will not show any injury, x-rays can show whether the injury is associated with a broken bone.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. If your injury requires an MRI, this study is utilized to create a better image of soft tissues injuries. However, an MRI may not be required for your particular injury circumstance and will be ordered based on a thorough examination by your Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic Orthopedic physician.

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical

Rest at home is the most important way to help your child’s hip get better. Your child may need to take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen (brand names: Advil, Motrin), to reduce the swelling and inflammation around the hip joint.

Your child’s Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic doctor will probably ask you to take your child’s temperature regularly and to report any temperature higher than 99.5°F. A fever may mean that your child has a problem other than hip synovitis. To make sure that your child is doing well, your doctor may want to recheck your child 12 to 24 hours after the first visit.

With rest and medicine, your child’s hip will probably get better in 3 or 4 days. After the pain leaves, your child can resume his or her usual activities. In most children, there are no complications from transient synovitis of the hip. They recover completely.

To make sure everything is all right, your doctor may want to take another X-ray of your child’s hip in about 6 months.

If the pain is still bad after 10 days, your child should be rechecked by your doctor. Your doctor may order some tests to make sure there isn’t something else wrong with your child’s hip.

Treatment Highlights

VERILAST Hip Replacement Technology

Innovative Implant Design

Smith Nephew VERILAST hip replacement implant.

It’s important to remember that not every hip implant is the same. The Smith Nephew VERILAST Hip Technology is the one technology that directly addresses two of the most commonly cited concerns associated with hip replacement implants:

  • Implant Wear

  • Implant Fracture

Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic

The Orthopaedic physicians at Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic provide comprehensive services to all members of the family.
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Disclaimer

The information found on this site is for general orthopedic purposes only. In a medical emergency please dial 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Room.