Irritable hip in children

Your children may start to walk with a limp, or experience trouble walking, standing or crawling. You should take your child to a consultant if they:

• develop a fever or is otherwise unwell
• develop an obvious swelling or redness on any part of the hip or leg
• have increasing or persistent pain that is not relieved by ibuprofen or paracetamol
• are in pain when they are at rest
• are not starting to improve within three days or has not recovered fully in two weeks

During a consultation your doctor may:

• look at and feel your child's hip, leg or knee
• try gently moving the leg in different directions
• ask about any recent injuries or illnesses
• arrange an X-ray

Sometimes a blood test or other scans may also be performed to confirm it's nothing serious.

Depending on the symptoms your child displays your consultant will recommend treatment. In most cases your child's condition will improve with rest. Over the counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can also help recovery.