management
Last reviewed 01/2018
Alternative conditions must be excluded. Admit to hospital if diagnosis in doubt.
The mainstay of treatment is rest and appropriate analgesia. This can be done in the home or in hospital as dictated by pain and/or social circumstances. The leg is best kept flexed and in some external rotation. Aspiration of effusion when present, may provide dramatic symptomatic relieve.
The child should being mobilising once the pain has settled. Symptoms generally resolve within one or two weeks (1).
A follow up radiograph at 6 weeks may be taken to confirm exclusion of Perthes' disease.
Reference:
- GP magazine (26/1/04), 42.