Patient education: Transient synovitis (The Basics)

What is transient synovitis? — Transient synovitis is a condition that can cause hip pain and limping in children. It happens when the lining inside the hip joint becomes inflamed or swollen. It usually gets better within 1 to 2 weeks. The word "transient" means lasting for a short time.

Transient synovitis usually affects children between 3 and 8 years old. The exact cause is not known. But in some cases it happens after a child has had a cold or another viral illness.

What are the symptoms of transient synovitis? — The main symptom is hip pain that comes on quickly. This can cause the child to limp when they walk. While resting, they might feel more comfortable when they rotate the hip outward, away from the body.

In most cases, only 1 hip is affected, but some children have pain in both hips.

Some children with transient synovitis have a fever, but it is usually mild.

Will my child need tests? — Your child's doctor or nurse will do an exam and ask about their symptoms. They will also order tests to check for more serious problems that can cause hip pain, such as infection. These might include:

●Blood tests – These include "blood cultures" to check for bacteria in the blood.

●Lab tests on a sample of fluid from the hip – Usually, the doctor can use a needle and syringe to get a sample of fluid for testing.

●Ultrasound of the hip – An ultrasound is a type of imaging test. Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body.

How is transient synovitis treated? — Transient synovitis usually gets better on its own within a few weeks. To help with pain, your child can:

●Rest – The child should rest their hip as much as possible while it hurts. They can go back to their usual activities as their pain improves.

●Take pain-relieving medicines called "nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs" or "NSAIDs" – NSAIDs include ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve). These medicines can help with pain and reduce swelling inside the hip. Your child's doctor or nurse will tell you what dose to give and how often.

Call the doctor or nurse if your child:

●Gets a fever

●Has swelling of the hip or leg

●Has symptoms, such as pain, that are getting worse

●Is not starting to improve after 3 days

●Has not recovered completely after 2 weeks

These things could suggest a problem other than transient synovitis.

More on this topic

Patient education: Septic arthritis (The Basics)

Patient education: Joint infection (Beyond the Basics)