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Irritable Hip Syndrome; Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Last updated: February 7, 2026 Medically reviewed by: RxHarun Orthopedic Specialist Doctor Reading time: 2 min read

Irritable Hip Syndrome, also known as the Toxic or Transient Synovitis, is a condition that affects the hip joint in children. It may affect any child between the age of 4-10 years and boys are more prone than girls. The condition is attributed to the inflammation of the synovial membrane that lines and protects the joint. It generally does not cause any further complication.

Causes

  • Viral infection that may occur in chest or digestive system
  • Injury to the hip joint
  • Bone fractures in the joint
  • Infection in the upper respiratory tract

Symptoms

  • Stiffness in the joint
  • Severe pain in hip, knee, groin or leg
  • The child may not want to put weight on the affected leg
  • Limping and change in gait of the child
  • Very young children may keep crying when the pain sets in
  • Movement may be restricted
  • Slight rise in body temperature
  • The child may tend to hold the hip outwards, slightly bent away from the body
  • Tenderness
  • The condition may develop slowly with only one side of the joint being affected at first
  • Muscle spasm
  • Redness in the affected part of the leg

Diagnosis

  • Analysis of the patient’s medical history and lifestyle besides the symptoms reported
  • X-ray imaging
  • Bone tests to check for bone growth and infections
  • Blood tests
  • MRI or CT scan
  • Ultrasound test may help reveal fluid accumulation in the joint
  • Aspiration in case fluid is present in the joint to check for infections
  • Palpation to check for joint tenderness and locate the exact location of pain
  • Log roll test- the whole joint is rotated outwards to see if there is any involuntary resistance by the supporting muscles (muscle guarding)
  • Neurological tests may be conducted to rule out other causes such as developmental dysplasia of the hip joint

Treatment

  • The patient is advised to rest and abstain from any strenuous activity for a couple of weeks
  • Medication may be prescribed to relieve pain and swelling
  • Application of heat pads relieves muscular stress
  • Certain physical therapy exercises may improve blood flow and provide relief
  • Traction (manual) may be applied to the affected leg to release stress from the joint. This is done by attaching weight bearing pulley to the leg and then stretching it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

Add references, clinical guidelines, textbooks, journal articles, or trusted medical sources here. You can edit this area later with a custom field named _rx_references.

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Written by Dr. Harun Ar Rashid, MD - Arthritis, Bones, Joints Pain, Trauma, and Internal Medicine Specialist

Dr. Md. Harun Ar Rashid, MPH, MD, PhD, is a highly respected medical specialist celebrated for his exceptional clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to patient care. With advanced qualifications including MPH, MD, and PhD, he integrates cutting-edge research with a compassionate approach to medicine, ensuring that every patient receives personalized and effective treatment. His extensive training and hands-on experience enable him to diagnose complex conditions accurately and develop innovative treatment strategies tailored to individual needs. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Harun Ar Rashid is dedicated to medical education and research, writing and inventory creative thinking, innovative idea, critical care managementing make in his community to outreach, often participating in initiatives that promote health awareness and advance medical knowledge. His career is a testament to the high standards represented by his credentials, and he continues to contribute significantly to his field, driving improvements in both patient outcomes and healthcare practices. Born and educated in Bangladesh, Dr. Rashid earned his BPT from the University of Dhaka before pursuing postgraduate training internationally. He completed his MD in Internal Medicine at King’s College London, where he developed a special interest in inflammatory arthritis and metabolic bone disease. He then undertook a PhD in Orthopedic Science at the University of Oxford, conducting pioneering research on cytokine signaling pathways in rheumatoid arthritis. Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Rashid returned to clinical work with a fellowship in interventional pain management at the Rx University School of Medicine, refining his skills in image-guided joint injections and minimally invasive pain-relief techniques.