Transient Synovitis Of The Hip
What is Transient Synovitis?
Transient Synovitis of the Hip is a temporary inflammation of the hip that can cause limping and hip pain in children.
Limping in a 2 to 7 years old child is one the most common reasons for an E.R. visit.
What are Transient Synovitis symptoms?
The onset of symptoms is quick, as in a cold and pain starts suddenly and usually is only on one side of the body.
Main symptoms may include:
- limping
- complaining of pain in the thigh or knee (no hip pain)
- refusing to walk (when pain is severe)
- crying and irritability (in younger children)
- the child is otherwise well if seated plays normally and happily
What causes Transient Synovitis?
This disease hasn’t a specific cause.
It is often associated to a recent viral infection occurred two to three weeks before.
How is Transient Synovitis diagnosed?
The orthopedic surgeon must perform an accurate physical exam of lower limb, from foot to the trunk, in order to rule out other foot, ankle, knee or leg diseases.
For a correct diagnosis it is also important to:
- consider mother’s family history
- make a clinical evaluation
- perform an ultrasound of the hip
Ultrasound is important to check for fluid in the joints, which is a sign of inflammation, and for follow up.
Transient Synovitis treatment
Transient Synovitis is a disease that tends to resolve spontaneously with:
- the use of anti-inflammatory drugs
- rest for about 7-10 days
If symptoms and fluid in the joints persist for more than one month, further examinations (such as X-ray, MRI, scintigraphy, …) will have to be performed to exclude different pathologies.
So it is crucial to see the doctor until complete healing.
Why choose Prof Portinaro
Prof. Portinaro is one of the most experienced surgeons in the world for hip diseases and treatments, including hip reconstruction.
He has been treating toxic synovitis for more than 30 years and performed around 5,000 ultrasounds himself for diagnosis and follow up.