There is nothing unusual about an elderly person complaining of hip pain, but when you see a small child complaining about the same, it can be a bit alarming. Orthopaedic problems like hip pain are usually associated with age-related wear and tear, which is very common in adults, especially elderlies. However, small children, too, use their hips on a regular basis, to indulge in activities like walking and crawling. Hip pain in children could also be a result of underlying deformity that may be present since birth or developed after a trauma or injury. In this blog, we have listed some of the most common causes of hip pain in children with the help of experts specialising in hip replacement in Pune.

Transient synovitis - Commonly referred to as irritable hip, it is a condition marked by severe inflammation of the synovium, the soft tissue that lines the hip joint. The problem affects nearly 3% of the children lying in the age group of 3 to 10 years. A child suffering from the condition experiences extreme hip pain and may even limp due to the inability of the affected joints to bear any weight. If your child complains of hip pain after sitting in one place for too long or walks with his/her toes pointed outwards it could be a sign of transient synovitis. Toddlers, especially boys, are at a high risk of developing the problem and the risks of developing it are significantly high in children who have had a viral infection. As per the experts from the best orthopaedic hospital in Mumbai, the problem can be easily managed with the help of anti-inflammatory and pain medication. It may take a couple of weeks for the child to experience the difference post-treatment.

Hip dysplasia - The condition is marked by a structural deformity in the ball and socket joint of the hip which is present since birth. In simple terms, the socket of the hip joint is smaller as compared to the ball of the femur, and as such, the latter is not able to completely cover the former, as it normally should. In the case of mild dysplasia, the symptoms become evident only in teenage, however in extreme cases, the symptoms show up during childhood itself. Gradually, the problem can give rise to other complications and can even damage the cartilage lining of the hip joints, giving rise to immense pain. As per the experts from the best Orthopaedic Hospital in Pune, hip dysplasia is not always congenital and some children may even develop it after birth. The problem is more likely to affect a girl child and can be treated with the help of braces, which are usually recommended for a few months. In extreme cases, the child may need surgery, but the chances are very rare.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis - You must have heard about arthritis in adults but did you know that children can have arthritis too? Yes, you read that right. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis happens to be the most common type of arthritis that affects children below 16 years of age. A child suffering from the condition may experience extreme pain in the affected joint along with chronic swelling and stiffness just like an adult would. Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis are at risk of developing other health issues like growth abnormalities and joint deformities as well. It is pertinent to note that Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis can affect multiple joints simultaneously. The symptoms are not always there and may flare up suddenly.

Legg-calve-Perthes Disease - It is a condition marked restricted supply of oxygenated blood to the ball part of the hip joint, due to which the bone starts to deteriorate. This is commonly referred to as avascular necrosis. The condition is rare and progresses through various stages over a span of years. A child suffering from the condition is likely to limp due to extreme pain and stiffness. The exact cause of why this happens is still unknown. Legg-calve-Perthes disease is more common in children below 8 years of age and especially boys. The problem can be effectively treated with the help of a cast, physical therapy or even surgery.

If your child has been complaining of hip pain for too long, get him/her evaluated at the best orthopaedic hospital in Pune.