Hip Problems, Age 11 And Younger: Check Your Symptoms

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When to See a Doctor

Does your child have hip pain or tenderness?

See significance of pain or tenderness if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's hip symptoms.

Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Does your child have severe hip pain?

Yes

Is your child unable or unwilling to walk?

Yes

Does your child cry with any hip movement?

Yes

Is your child's hip painful, red, hot, and swollen?

Yes

Does your child have hip pain and a fever?

Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Did your child's hip pain or limping begin following a cold or other upper respiratory infection (URI)?

You may wait to see if your child's symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Does your child still have moderate hip pain after 24 hours of home treatment?

Yes

Does your child still limp after 48 hours (or the time frame given by a doctor) of recommended home or medical treatment?

Your child needs an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Has your child had mild hip pain off and on for 1 week or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	September 15, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer