ABSTRACT
Irritable hip is a common condition of childhood characterized by an acutely painful hip. It was first described by Lovett and Morse in 1892 as “a short-lived and ephemeral form of hip disease”. At that time the distinction from tuberculosis of the hip was important. The condition has many pseudonyms (transient synovitis, transitory hip arthritis, observation hip). The aetiology is unknown. Infection, allergic reaction and trauma are most commonly implicated. There are no specific diagnostic tests. The diagnosis is therefore one of exclusion and made in retrospect on the clinical course of the condition. The diagnosis is made once other conditions have been excluded by routine tests and clinical observation. The differential diagnosis is from Perthes’ disease, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, slipped upper femoral epiphysis, trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis and rheumatic fever.
