by EBSCO Medical Review Board
(Irritable Hip, Toxic Synovitis)

Definition

Transient synovitis of the hip is short-term pain and swelling of the hip joint.

Hip Bone and Local Musculature
Abdominal muscle and pelvis
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

The cause is not known.

Risk Factors

Transient synovitis of the hip is more common in children between the ages of 3 and 8. It is also more common in boys.

Symptoms

Symptoms may be:

  • Sudden pain in the hip, groin, or thigh
  • Pain when putting weight on the side that has pain
  • Problems walking and standing

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your child’s symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.

Treatment

Transient synovitis often goes away on its own in three to ten days. Medicine can help to ease pain.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent this health problem. The cause is not known.

RESOURCES

Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians  http://www.familydoctor.org 

Kids Health—Nemours Foundation  http://www.kidshealth.org 

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Paediatric Society  http://www.cps.ca 

Health Canada  http://www.canada.ca 

References

Cook PC. Transient synovitis, septic hip, and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: an approach to the correct diagnosis. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2014 Dec;61(6):1109-1118.

Toxic synovitis. Kids Health—Nemours Foundation website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/toxic-synovitis.html. Updated September 2017. Accessed September 30, 2019.

Transient synovitis of the hip. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:  https://www.dynamed.com/condition/transient-synovitis-of-the-hip . Updated November 2, 2016. Accessed September 30, 2019.

Transient synovitis of the hip. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/transient-synovitis-of-the-hip.html. Updated May 23, 2019. Accessed September 30, 2019.

Revision Information