The value of Hip aspiration in pediatric transient synovitis

Boaz Liberman, Amir Herman*, Amos Schindler, Nir Sherr-Lurie, Abraham Ganel, Uri Givon

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:: Hip transient synovitis (TS) is a common pediatric orthopaedic problem. Although a self-limiting illness, it often makes the patient temporarily disabled and poses a diagnostic difficulty because of its similarity to septic arthritis in clinical manifestations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a single ultrasound-guided hip aspiration as a treatment modality for TS. METHODS:: Between the years 1984 and 1989, 112 children with TS were treated through bed rest and using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (group 1). Between the years 1990 and 1999, 119 children diagnosed with TS were treated using hip aspiration, bed rest, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (group 2). Recovery parameters were compared between these patient groups. RESULTS:: Twenty-four hours after admission, limping was noted in 92% and 10% of the patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively, (P<0.001). Refusal to bear weight was observed in 14% and 1% in groups 1 and 2, respectively, (P<0.001), and hip joint pain was reported in 81% and 6% in groups 1 and 2, respectively, (P<0.001). Larger joint effusions were found to be the reason behind the inability to bear weight. CONCLUSIONS:: Pain due to TS may be because of capsule stretching owing to the accumulation of joint effusion. Ultrasound-guided hip aspiration relieves pain and limitation in movement and provides rapid differential diagnosis from septic arthritis of the hip joint.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)124-127
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Pediatric Orthopaedics
Volume33
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2013

Keywords

  • Hip pain
  • Transient synovitis
  • hip aspiration

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