Synovitis, Toxic

Basics

Description

  • Nonspecific inflammation and hypertrophy of the synovium with an effusion of the hip joint in children
  • It can affect any joint but most commonly affects the hip
  • Disease process is self-limiting
  • Most common cause of acute hip pain and a limp in children aged 3–10
  • Also referred to as acute transient synovitis and irritable hip syndrome
  • Age group most affected is 3–6 yr
  • Male > female (2:1)
  • Right hip > left

Etiology

  • Cause of toxic synovitis is unknown
  • Infectious etiology is suspected, because an upper respiratory infection precedes the symptoms of transient synovitis in ∼50% of cases

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