joint. The "ball part of the joint is the top part of the thigh bone. It is the femoral head. The "socket" is a part of the pelvic bone. ‚
With this health problem, the ball does not get enough blood flow to it. Without blood flow, the bone dies. When that part of the bone dies, it becomes flat and loses its round shape. Most often, the blood flow comes back over a few months. New bone cells grow over the next 2 to 3 years and replace the dead bone. ‚
Most often, children only have this problem in one hip. Sometimes, it can happen in both hips. Children fully recover from this problem in most cases. Children younger than 6 have the best chance to end up with a normal hip joint. Older children may end up with a deformed hip joint and may get arthritis later. ‚
What are the causes?
It is not known what causes this problem. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
This disease is more likely to happen to boys. It happens most often when a child is between 4 and 10 years of age. This health problem is more likely to happen to children who are of Asian, Eskimo, or Caucasian background. ‚
What are the main signs?
- Walking with a limp
- Hip pain
- Stiffness in the hip
- Less motion in the hip
- Thigh, groin, or knee pain
- One leg shorter than the other
- Thigh muscles on one leg look smaller than those on the other leg
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
The doctor will feel around your childs hip. The doctor will move the leg to check the motion in the hip. The doctor may push and pull on the hip and leg. This will help to check how strong the joint and muscles are. The doctor will watch how your child walks. The doctor may order: ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
- Protecting the hip joint and keeping it in the socket
- Rest for a short period of time
- Brace or cast to keep the hip from moving
- Crutches to take pressure off the injured hip
- Using a device that gives a gentle pull to take pressure off of the joint. This is called traction.
- Physical therapy (PT)
- Surgery if no other treatments work
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for swelling and pain. These are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).
- Help with pain, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Children younger than 18 should not take aspirin. This can lead to a very bad health problem. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Arthritis later in life ¢ ˆ ’ this may be more likely to happen in children who are older than 6 when they get this health problem
- One leg longer than the other
- Loss of some hip movement
- Hip break or fracture
- Hip dislocation
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
There is nothing you can do to prevent this problem. ‚
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://www.kidshealth.org.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/contentpage/pi_id/187 ‚
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/563/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚