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Hip pain in children is most often caused by a condition called irritable hip, which usually gets better on its own. But it should always be checked because it could be a sign of something serious.
A condition called irritable hip is the most common cause of hip pain in children. This is where the hip joint becomes sore and inflamed.
Irritable hip can be painful, but it's not usually serious and often gets better by itself.
Other possible causes of hip pain in children include:
These other causes are less common but more serious.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
To find out what's causing your child's pain, a doctor or nurse may:
Sometimes a blood test or other scans may also be done to confirm it's nothing serious.
Irritable hip usually gets better in 1 or 2 weeks and does not cause lasting problems.
If your child has irritable hip, you can usually look after them at home. Sometimes they may need to stay in hospital for a few days if they're in a lot of pain.
make sure they rest their leg until they're feeling better – keep them off nursery or school until they're recovered
give them children's ibuprofen or children's paracetamol for their pain
attend any follow-up appointments recommended by your doctor or nurse
do not let them do any activities that could put a lot of strain on their hip for at least 2 weeks – they can gradually return to their normal activities once they're feeling better (swimming is a good way to get the joint moving again)
This might mean they have a more serious problem.
