Part of UT Health San Antonio
Transient Synovitis of the Hip
(Irritable Hip, Toxic Synovitis)
Tran-zee-ent Sin-o-vi-tiss of the Hip
Definition
Transient synovitis of the hip is short-term pain and swelling of the hip joint.
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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
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.
Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Warren A. Bodine, DO, CAQSM Last Updated: 4/24/2020