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Paediatrics
intermediate
X-Type

Septic Arthritis of the Hip

Pediatric Infections

A 4-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department with refusal to bear weight on his left leg for 2 days. He has been febrile (38.8°C) and irritable. His parents report no recent trauma. Examination shows the left hip held in flexion, abduction, and external rotation with severe pain on any attempted movement. He refuses to allow the hip to be examined. Blood tests show WCC 15,000/mm³ and CRP 85 mg/L. Radiographs show lateral displacement of the femoral head from the acetabulum. Regarding septic arthritis of the hip in children:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Septic arthritis of the hip is an orthopaedic emergency due to the risk of irreversible cartilage da...

B

Clinical features include: toxic/ill-appearing child with fever, refusal to bear weight or move the ...

C

Septic hip is not urgent and can be observed; cartilage damage is reversible; the hip holds extensio...

D

The Kocher criteria help distinguish septic arthritis from transient synovitis: (1) fever greater th...

E

Treatment requires urgent joint aspiration (for diagnosis and initial decompression) followed by sur...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option