Toxic synovitis

Alternative names:

synovitis - toxic

Definition:

A condition affecting children; which causes hip pain and limping.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Toxic synovitis is a frequent cause of limping with hip pain in children. It occurs in children prior to the onset of puberty and is a transient arthritis of the hip which usually resolves spontaneously. Its cause in not known but males are affected more frequently than females (approximately 4 to 1).

Symptoms are usually mild and generally include hip pain and a slight limp. The hip pain only involves one side (unilateral). A very low grade fever (less than 101 degrees) may be present as an early symptom but rapidly disappears. Aside from the hip discomfort the child does not appear ill and would rather be playing.