Transitory Synovitis of the Hip Joint in Childhood

Transitory synovitis of the hip joint in childhood often remains unrecognized despite its relatively frequent occurrence. Usually the disease is erroneously diagnosed as tuberculosis of the hip, although the subsequent course and ultimate prognosis in the two conditions are vastly different. Other terms employed to designate this disease are coxitis serosa seu simplex, coxitis fugitive, coxitis ephemere, coxitis fugax, coxitis incertae causae, and transitory arthritis of the hip joint. Twenty-two cases have been recognized in this clinic since 1916; it is significant that since our attention has been focused on this syndrome the diagnosis has been made seven times in the past two years. ETIOLOGY Various factors have been indicated as responsible for the development of transitory synovitis of the hip joint. Butler1believes that infection, rather than trauma, is the chief cause. However, aseptic embolus, chemical toxins, mechanical-static imbalance, and climatological fluctuations have been blamed.2I am