So worried - irritable hip vs septic joint

[Elenasdream]

My 5yo suddenly developed a very sore hip on Saturday. She also had a fever. We took her to a&e and they ran blood tests and concluded it was likely irritable hip. She’s still pain though and has a high temperature around 38.5c. Has anyone else had this? It’s the fever that’s worrying me the most. She rallied a bit this afternoon after ibuprofen but despite another dose this evening is so miserable. Would the blood tests definitely have been enough to rule out something more sinister? It’s difficult to know whether to take her back as her symptoms haven’t changed overly she just isn’t getting better

I wouldn’t hesitate to take her back

Irritable hip is a hell of a lot more common than septic arthritis. But irritable hip is usually associated with a recent viral infection, rather than a current one, so the fever is a bit worrying. I'd be inclined to get checked out again.

@nocoolnamesleft thanks yes it’s the fever that’s worrying me. Although she had the fever when she was checked on Saturday so they were aware of it. She’s finally asleep after a very late night on Saturday in a&e and not great sleep since so might let her sleep a bit and then take her.

The typical pattern for irritable hip is a recently unwell child, who now looks very well, but is just limping/can't walk. Still having pain wouldn't be a worry, but still having a fever...it just makes me nervous.

@nocoolnamesleftshe hadn’t been previously unwell other than minor ongoing sniffles. The hip pain seemed to hit first and then the fever a few hours into it. I stayed at home with my 2yo rather than go to a&e as I have back problems at the moment so can’t lift her and she couldn’t walk. Husband said they did blood tests to rule out septic joint and the results were absolutely fine but she just seems so poorly.

go back

also, look up osteomyelitis and see if the systems fit.

Been sitting here thinking. I can't remember seeing a single irritable hip that was pyrexial when the pain started. Yes, sure, it's theoretically possible, because they might have caught another bug as well. But bothering me. I would go back. Tonight.

@nocoolnamesleft thank you so much for that and taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it. Have an appointment at out of hours at the hospital for an hours time so hopefully also an easy transfer to a&e too if needs be

Sorry I sent such a short message beforez Glad you are getting her seen. Mine had a temp with onset of limp, admitted overnight and fasted for theatre as they thought infected hip. Next morning seemed well but limping. We got home with instructions to return if temp came back.

@Sweetpotatoaddict no worries at all. Good to have the sense check as I was finding it hard to know because she’s been checked and had a fever at the time so Dr must’ve concluded it was still ok but she just isn’t getting better (pain or fever). Glad it was a better outcome for you and didn’t need the surgery. My daughter is very anxious anyway so is distressed about going back, so really hoping we’re the same

How did you get on? Hope she is okay.

Hope all is ok. When my daughter had this she seemed otherwise well apart from limp/severe pain. However they did blood tests AND an xray of the joints on that side.

Thanks @Sweetpotatoaddict and @Greentomatoes21 she was transferred from out of hours to a&e and then to the ward. They’ve been concerned it’s an infected joint so started antibiotics straight away and have been doing blood tests and she’s had an ultrasound. They thought she’d need surgery today but the ultrasound didn’t show as much fluid so they are waiting to review again in the morning and will make a decision then to operate if she’s not improving. Thanks again for all the advice x

Glad to hear they're being thorough. Thanks for updating us.

@nocoolnamesleft they operated yesterday after blood results showed a bacteria common in joint infection. Surgeon said there was infection in the joint when they went in. My poor girl but hopefully she can start to recover now. Thanks again for everything

You did so well to go back. Really important that the joint has been washed out. I wish your daughter well for the future.

Good grief. Well done. My son gets irritable hip all the time so I'm going to be so nervous next time...

What's the surgery for? X

I'm glad you got the diagnosis and they can help. My daughter was very poorly with what they THOUGHT was irritable hip but turned out to be something much more serious than that. I've held off commenting so far until you had a proper diagnosis. I hope the healing goes well x

@ohatefiftyfor although she was initially diagnosed with irritable hip it wasn’t that in the end it was septic arthritis. The initial blood results were clear so she was sent home but we’ve been told since by the consultant that it can take a bit of time for the infection to start to show in the blood. The infection was in the joint and were told it can’t be reached by antibiotics alone so needed to be cleaned out in an operation. She seemed so unwell and had a fever so hopefully you would def see the difference. I had never even heard of irritable hip or septic arthritis before this week. We’ve been told irritable hip is a lot more common so she’s been unlucky x

Thanks @ToddlerMumma seems we are in a similar boat. Hope your daughter made a full recovery. It’s been such a horrible time with the surgery but no other way around it. X

Very interesting about the antibiotics not being enough.

I guess that's why they've always checked my sons over very thoroughly when they've had limps.

Thank goodness you took her back!