Between 1989 and 1992 we admitted 426 children with an irritable hip, 363 (85.2%) once and 63 (14.8%) on 143 occasions. We assessed the records retrospectively to determine whether the groups differed and in particular whether recurrence was followed by pathological sequelae. We identified no feature which distinguished between them at either presentation. The use of bone isotope scans was greatly increased in recurrent cases, without clinical benefit. No relationship between recurrence and subsequent abnormality was identified, with 22 (42%) of the recurrences taking place in the opposite hip. The only difference was a higher incidence of 'psychosocial factors' recorded in the notes of children who presented on more than two occasions. The incidence of recurrent irritable hip is larger than previously indicated and in the presence of normal radiographs and low-grade clinical signs, more detailed investigation on subsequent admission is unlikely to be helpful

We made a prospective study of 111 children with acute hip pain to assess whether ultrasound can replace traditional radiography. An effusion was diagnosed in 71% by ultrasound but in only 15% by radiography. This effusion persisted for a mean of nine days; symptoms lasted for five days. Two patients found to have Perthes' disease had longer-lasting effusion and symptoms. Patients without an effusion had no obvious cause for their pain, so the pressure of an effusion from a transient synovitis does not account for all patients with irritable hips. Patients with an effusion persisting for over 24 days (the mean + 2 s.d. of our series) had more symptoms, a significantly larger effusion and greater limitation of movement. They may be more at risk for avascular necrosis. We found that radiographic examination influenced the immediate management of only two patients, those with Perthes' disease. We therefore propose a protocol of management for irritable hip, using ultrasonography at the first presentation of certain categories of patients. This would reduce the number of early radiographs by 75%

Three cases are reported which presented as "irritable" or "observation" hips and failed to respond to rest at home and in hospital. In each case a campylobacter organism was grown from the faeces; none were found in a group of 20 patients in the paediatric ward for other reasons. The patients responded to a course of erythromycin. It is postulated that they may have had a reactive arthropathy of the hip and suggested that cultures for Campylobacter be made as part of the investigation of irritable hip

Clinical prediction algorithms are used to differentiate transient synovitis from septic arthritis. These algorithms typically include the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), although in clinical practice measurement of the C-reactive protein (CRP) has largely replaced the ESR. We evaluated the use of CRP in a predictive algorithm.

The records of 311 children with an effusion of the hip, which was confirmed on ultrasound, were reviewed (mean age 5.3 years (0.2 to 15.1)). Of these, 269 resolved without intervention and without long-term sequelae and were considered to have had transient synovitis. The remaining 42 underwent arthrotomy because of suspicion of septic arthritis. Infection was confirmed in 29 (18 had micro-organisms isolated and 11 had a high synovial fluid white cell count). In the remaining 13 no evidence of infection was found and they were also considered to have had transient synovitis. In total 29 hips were categorised as septic arthritis and 282 as transient synovitis. The temperature, weight-bearing status, peripheral white blood cell count and CRP was reviewed in each patient.

A CRP > 20 mg/l was the strongest independent risk factor for septic arthritis (odds ratio 81.9, p < 0.001). A multivariable prediction model revealed that only two determinants (weight-bearing status and CRP > 20 mg/l) were independent in differentiating septic arthritis from transient synovitis. Individuals with neither predictor had a < 1% probability of septic arthritis, but those with both had a 74% probability of septic arthritis. A two-variable algorithm can therefore quantify the risk of septic arthritis, and is an excellent negative predictor.

The crucial differentiation between septic arthritis and transient synovitis of the hip in children can be difficult. In 1999, Kocher et al introduced four clinical predictors which were highly predictive (99.6%) of septic arthritis. These included fever (temperature ≥ 38.5°C), inability to bear weight, white blood-cell count > 12.0 × 10. 9. cells/L and ESR ≥ 40 mm/hr; CRP ≥ 20 mg/L was later added as a fifth predictor. We retrospectively evaluated these predictors to differentiate septic arthritis from transient synovitis of the hip in children over a four-year period in a primary referral general hospital. When all five were positive, the predicted probability of septic arthritis in this study was only 59.9%, with fever being the best predictor. When applied to low-prevalence diseases, even highly specific tests yield a high number of false positives and the predictive value is thereby diminished. Clinical predictors should be applied with caution when assessing a child with an irritable hip, and a high index of suspicion, and close observation of patients at risk should be maintained

We describe a technique of ‘cross-hip distraction’ to reduce a dislocated hip with subsequent reconstruction of the joint for septic arthritis with extensive femoral osteomyelitis. A 27-year-old woman presented with a dislocated, collapsed femoral head and chronic osteomyelitis of the femur. Examination revealed a leg-length discrepancy of 7 cm and an irritable hip. A staged technique was used with primary clearance of osteomyelitis and secondary reconstruction of the hip. A cross-hip monolateral external fixator was used to establish normal anatomy followed by an arthroplasty. A good functional outcome was achieved. The use of cross-hip distraction avoids soft-tissue and nerve damage and achieved improved abductor function before arthroplasty

A prospective survey was carried out on all cases of irritable hip presenting at the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital over a period of one year. All children had a radioisotope scan of the hips and were then followed for one year by serial radiography. Five of the 50 children seen during the one year had areas of ischaemia in the capital femoral epiphysis demonstrated on the scan. all five developed radiological signs of Perthes' disease within sic months. The remaining 45 had radiographically normal hips at one year

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 16 children treated for spondylodiscitis at our hospital between 2000 and 2007. The mean follow-up was 24 months (12 to 38). There was a mean delay in diagnosis in hospital of 25 days in the ten children aged less than 24 months. At presentation only five of the 16 children presented with localising signs and symptoms. Common presenting symptoms were a refusal to walk or sit in nine children, unexplained fever in six, irritability in five, and limping in four. Plain radiography showed changes in only seven children. The ESR was the most useful investigation when following the clinical course of the disease. Positive blood cultures were obtained in seven children with Staphylococcus aureus being isolated in five. Antibiotics were used in 14 children and spinal bracing in six. Children with spondylodiscitis often present with a confusing clinical picture leading to late diagnosis.

The early use of MRI in the investigation of children with an atypical picture may avoid unnecessary delay in starting treatment and possibly prevent long-term problems. All except one of our children had made a complete clinical recovery at final follow-up. However, all six children in the > 24-month age group showed radiological evidence of degenerative changes which might cause problems in the future.