The role of ultrasound and isotope scanning in the management of irritable hips.

Patients (n = 181) with the irritable hip syndrome were reviewed. Four of these were found to have Perthes disease and 3 cases had septic arthritis. Ultrasonography provides accurate information as to the presence or absence of an effusion in children with an irritable hip syndrome. The likelihood of a positive result is higher in the early course of the disease process (i.e. within 3 days). Bone scanning, if done routinely will help in the early diagnosis of Perthes disease. Recurrence of the symptoms occurred in 18% of patients and most of them were within 12 months of the first onset of symptoms.