Presenting features of septic arthritis of the hip in Nigerian children.

Fifty-seven Nigerian children with septic arthritis of the hip treated at the University College Hospital, Ibadan during the period of 1970-1975 were studied. Ages ranged between four weeks and thirteen years. The main presenting symptoms were painful swelling of the hip joint in 88% of patients while 70% had fever; and only five patients gave a history of trauma being associated. Twelve patients had dislocation of the affected hip; a discharging sinus was present in six patients. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest organism associated with septic arthritis of the hip but salmonellae were found in sickle cell disease. Early management with aspiration of the affected hip, systemic antibiotics and wide abduction of both lower limbs gave good results.