The Significance of the So-called "Irritable Hips" in Children

In spite of the extensive use of radiographs and laboratory investigations, it is still impossible to clarify the nature of the syndrome known as 'irritable hip'. Although the nomenclature of the condition varies, the term 'irritable hip' will be used in this paper because it does not prejudge either the aetiology or pathology and it has the added historical merit of having been used by Hugh Owen Thomas.