Toxic synovitis is a condition affecting children that causes hip pain and limping.
Toxic synovitis occurs in children before puberty begins. It is a type of arthritis of the hip. Its cause is not known, but boys are affected more often than girls (approximately 4 to 1).
Symptoms may include:
Aside from the hip discomfort, the child does not usually appear ill.
Toxic synovitis is diagnosed when other, more serious conditions have been ruled out, such as:
Tests used to diagnose toxic synovitis include:
Other tests that may be done to rule out other causes of hip pain:
Treatment often includes limiting activity to make the child more comfortable. However, there is no danger with performing normal activities. The health care provider may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) to reduce pain.
The hip pain goes away within 7 - 10 days.
Toxic synovitis goes away on its own. There are no expected long-term complications.
Call for an appointment with your child's health care provider if:
Synovitis - toxic; Transient synovitis
Sankar WN, Horn BD, Wells L, Dormans JP. Transient monoarticular synovitis (toxic synovitis). In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 670.
Reviewed by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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