Related Experiment Videos
The irritable hip syndrome in children. A long-term follow-up
Insights
Long-term follow-up of children with transient synovitis ("Irritable Hips") found few lasting issues. Most children experienced no significant clinical or radiological abnormalities years later.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Transient synovitis, commonly known as "Irritable Hip", is a frequent cause of hip pain in children.
- Understanding the long-term prognosis of this condition is crucial for clinical management and parental counseling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes in children diagnosed with transient synovitis.
- To identify any potential long-term complications associated with this childhood hip condition.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 101 children diagnosed with transient synovitis between 1962 and 1972.
- Inclusion of case notes, laboratory data, and subsequent clinical and radiological examinations during a long-term follow-up.
Main Results:
- Most children had no significant clinical abnormalities at follow-up; eighteen minor issues were noted but unrelated to transient synovitis.
- Radiological abnormalities were found in four cases; two were linked to the original condition, while two were likely coincidental.
- One case each of Perthes' disease and coxa magna were identified, suggesting these are rare long-term complications.
Conclusions:
- Transient synovitis generally has a benign long-term prognosis with minimal lasting clinical or radiological impact.
- Prolonged symptoms or initial radiological abnormalities may indicate a slightly higher risk for rare complications like Perthes' disease or coxa magna.
Abstract:
This paper gives the results of a long-term follow-up study of 101 children with "Irritable Hips" who were admitted to the Mater Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, between 1962 and 1972. The case notes and the laboratory data from their original presentation have been reviewed and all the children were recalled for clinical and radiological examination. Clinical abnormalities were found on eighteen occasions but none could be proved to be related to the child's episode of transient synovitis. Radiological changes were found on four occasions. Two of these were related to the disease in question, but two were probably coincidental findings. One case of Perthes' disease was found and one case of coxa magna, and these long-term complications are more likely to be found in patients with prolonged symptoms or radiological abnormalities on admission.