Key points
- Transient synovitis is inflammation (swelling) of the lining of the hip joint.
- It is a common cause of limping in young children.
- Transient synovitis is usually a mild condition; it often gets better on its own within two weeks.
- Ibuprofen may help your child's pain and reduce inflammation.
- If your child’s pain or limp worsens or they develop a fever, you should take them to see a doctor or another health professional.
What is transient synovitis?
Transient synovitis (sy-noh-vy-tis), also called irritable hip, is when the lining of the hip joint gets inflamed. This inflammation means the joint does not slide as smoothly as normal, causing pain and discomfort.
Irritable hip is a common reason why young children limp – especially those aged three to eight years old.
Most cases of irritable hip happen after a viral
infection. The infection may have been so minor that you did not know your child had it. Occasionally, irritable hip can occur after an injury.
Irritable hip is usually a mild condition. It typically starts to get better within three days but can last up to two weeks.
Signs and symptoms of irritable hip
The most common symptoms of irritable hip are:
- a limp
- trouble crawling or standing, or refusing to walk
- pain – usually in the thigh or knee, but sometimes in the hip or groin
- discomfort and stiffness when the hip joint moves
- increased soreness after sleep.
Irritable hip normally only affects one side of the body. Your child may prefer not to walk for a day or two with irritable hip. They will naturally sit, crawl, walk or lie in the most comfortable position while they are healing. After two or three days, their pain and limp should start to get better.
A small number of children with irritable hip will develop the condition again in future.
How to care for irritable hip
See a doctor
You should see a doctor or other health professional if you think your child has irritable hip. They will examine your child and ask about their medical history. If they suspect a more serious condition, they may run some tests.
Care at home
Most children with irritable hip will get better with rest at home. Antibiotics will not help transient synovitis because bacteria do not cause the condition.
- Encourage your child to rest while they are sore.
- Give your child ibuprofen if they are in pain. It should also reduce their inflammation.
- Follow instructions on the pain-relief medicine package and give them the right dose for their size. You can give ibuprofen regularly for 48 hours.
- Paracetamol may also help their pain if ibuprofen alone is not strong enough.
- Never give aspirin to children under the age of 12, unless a doctor has prescribed it to them.
- Your child should gradually return to normal activities as their pain goes away.
- They should stay home from childcare or school until they can comfortably walk again (or crawl, if that is their baseline).
- They should not play sports or do anything strenuous until they have completely recovered.
- Antibiotics will not help transient synovitis because bacteria do not cause the condition.
Your child may prefer not to walk for a day or two with irritable hip. They will naturally sit, crawl, walk or lie in the most comfortable position while they are healing. After two or three days, their pain and limp should start to get better.
If your child’s pain or limp worsens over time rather than improves, or they develop a fever (temperature of 38°C or more), speak with a health professional.
When to get help
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Go to a hospital if:
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- your child gets a fever (temperature of 38°C or more) after they show symptoms of irritable hip.
- your child’s pain and limp worsens, or they start finding it harder to move their affected hip.
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See a doctor or health professional if:
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- your child has ongoing or worsening pain that pain-relief medicine like ibuprofen or paracetamol does not help.
- your child is in pain when they are resting.
- your child does not start improving within three days.
- your child still has symptoms after 10 days.
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Look after your child at home if:
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- they feel better after having ibuprofen or paracetamol.
- they start improving within three days.
- they have fully recovered within two weeks.
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Common questions about irritable hip
Does irritable hip cause a fever?
Irritable hip does not cause a fever (temperature of 38°C or more). If your child has symptoms of irritable hip and develops a fever, there may be a more serious medical cause. You should take them to a hospital.
I am worried about septic hip. Could my child have septic arthritis?
Septic arthritis is a bacterial infection in a joint; it is a serious condition that can cause long-term problems. Children with a septic hip joint will have fever and an extremely sore hip that does not get better with rest and pain-relief medicine. Doctors will suggest further testing if they are worried that your child has a septic hip.
Should my child stay home from childcare or school while they have irritable hip?
Your child should stay home from childcare or school with irritable hip until they have improved enough to walk (or crawl, if that is their baseline). Your child does not need to have fully recovered.
Can my child still play sports while they have irritable hip?
Your child should avoid playing sports until they have fully recovered from irritable hip and no longer have symptoms.
Can irritable hip cause long-term problems?
Irritable hip does not usually cause any long-term problems. If your child still has symptoms after 10 days, you should take them to see a doctor.
For more information
Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Emergency department, with input from the Orthopaedics department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed November 2025
Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.