Transient Synovitis of the Hip

Transient Synovitis of the Hip

Indra Kancitis, MD

Basic Information

Definition

Transient synovitis of the hip is an acute, nonspecific, self-limited inflammation of the synovial membrane of the hip joint.

Synonyms

Acute transient epiphysitis
Coxitis fugax
Coxitis serosa seu simplex
Intermittent hydrarthrosis
Irritable hip
Observation hip
Phantom hip
Reactive synovitis
Toxic synovitis
Transitory coxitis
Transitory synovitis

ICD-9-CM Code

727.0 Transient synovitis of the hip

Epidemiology & Demographics

• Transient synovitis is the most common cause of hip pain in children 3 to 8 years old.
• Average age of onset is 6 years, but it can occur in infancy through adolescence.
• A child has a 3% risk for developing transient synovitis at some point.
• There is no seasonal preference.
• Right and left hip involvement occurs equally.
• It is usually unilateral (<5% of cases are bilateral).
• The male-to-female ratio is 2:1.
• The incidence among blacks is much lower than in other groups.

Clinical Presentation

History

• The presenting complaint is acute onset of unilateral hip pain in an otherwise healthy child.
• Pain typically occurs in the ipsilateral groin or hip area or is referred to the anterior thigh or knee.
• Associated limp, antalgic gait, or refusal to bear weight may be seen.
• Approximately 50% of patients present after 1 to 3 days of symptoms.

Physical Examination

• The affected extremity is held in a flexed and externally rotated position.
• There is restricted range of motion at the hip, especially with abduction and internal rotation.
• The child’s temperature rarely exceeds 38°C (100.4°F).

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Jun 19, 2016 | Posted by in PEDIATRICS | Comments Off on Transient Synovitis of the Hip

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