Irritable hip - any experience/advice?

[coppertop]

Can anyone help?

Ds1 (6yrs) has been limping and complaining of hip pain. The doctor saw him this evening and said that she thinks it's irritable hip. She has put ds1 on the priority list for an x-ray tomorrow.

What (if anything) happens next? The NHS Direct site talks about hospital stays and traction but from some of the MN posts I've read this isn't necessarily the case.

Tomorrow will be ds1's 4th day of limping and so far there are no signs of improvement. Is it a case of resting and waiting for it to get better? If so, how long does it usually take?

Hi Coppertop!

Poor Ds

My son was admitted to hospital last year with awful hip pain, limping etc. It had been going on for a few days, getting worse, to the point he was sent home form school. I took him to the GP at the earliest opportunity, and she sent us straight to the nearest childrens ward. I was very scared, and DS was in the most awful agony.

We were in for 3 days and he had numerous xrays and blood tests. It turns out the consultant was looking at the possiblity of it being Perthes Disease, a problem causing the top of the femur to crumble in the hip joint.

However, it turned out it wasn't and we were told it was irritable hip.

DS is completely recovered now and has not, to date, touch wood, had a relapse.

Your DS's xray will tell the doctor a bit more.

Good luck with it all. I hope it all gets sorted soon xxxx

Hi Coppertop - I was diagnosed with an irritable hip when I was about 3yo. As Christie said, mine always tends to start with referred knee pain on the opposite leg, from where I was unconsciously walking slightly off kilter to compensate. I still get the occasional bout but it was at its worst during big growing spurts, so there were several "episodes" in my teenage years. By far the best medication for me was ibuprofen, together with bed rest.

Am now on my 3rd pg and it's only this time round that I've had any problems, though I must say that the memory foam mattress that I bought earlier this year is proving an absolute godsend and really helps, even when I'm at my most uncomfortable.

Sorry that this has turned into a bit of a waffle but HIH a bit and big hugs to ds1.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Phew! It sounds a lot more straightforward than the NHS Direct prognosis, although obviously a lot will depend on the x-rays.

Thanks again.