Toxic Synovitis Overview
Learn About Toxic Synovitis
Toxic synovitis is a condition affecting children that causes hip pain and limping.
Synovitis - toxic; Transient synovitis
Toxic synovitis occurs in children before puberty. It usually affects children from 2 to 12 years old. It is a type of inflammation of the hip. Its cause is not known. Boys are affected more often than girls. It can also occur after a common cold or viral infection.
Symptoms may include:
- Hip pain (on one side only)
- Limp
- Thigh pain, in front and toward the middle of the thigh
- Knee pain
- Low-grade fever, less than 101°F (38.3°C)
- Child only walking on toes and refusing to walk normally
Aside from the hip discomfort, the child does not usually appear ill.
Treatment often includes limiting activity to make the child more comfortable. But, there is no danger with normal activities. Your child's health care provider may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain.
Proliance Surgeons
Richard Gray, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacement and general orthopedic care. As an orthopedist with over 25 years of experience serving the Tacoma community, he brings a uniquely holistic skill set to the diagnosis and treatment of his patients. His goal is to team with his patients and their families to accurately and clearly define their problems, provide understandable treatment options, and to carry out the plan with professional, precise and expert care. His first goal is to avoid surgery, but when it’s necessary, he has the perspective to advise the best surgical procedure for each patient. He meticulously oversees the rehab and recovery phase of his patients to get them back to their best selves as soon as possible.Dr. Gray consults and instructs courses on spine reconstruction techniques for Stryker Spine, a medical device manufacturer. He shares his orthopedic knowledge by volunteering as a sports medicine consultant for Bellarmine Preparatory School.He is an active participant in his community school and church. Together with his wife and six children, he enjoys a wide range of family activities, mostly involving the great outdoors. He is proud to call the Pacific Northwest home. Dr. Gray is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Toxic Synovitis. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Bursitis, Tenosynovitis, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement.
Summit Orthopedics
Brent Warner, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon at Summit Orthopedics, specializing in shoulder, knee and hip care, sports injuries, and arthroscopic surgery. He was awarded Rising Star by Mpls./St.Paul Magazine and serves patients in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. He completed a fellowship at The Steadman Philippon Research Institute/The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado. Dr. Warner says, “As an athlete, I understand the profound impact that an injury can have on a patient’s life and well-being. My goal is to return people to activity as quickly and safely as possible, whether that’s training for an ultramarathon or walking the dog around the block.”. Dr. Warner is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Toxic Synovitis. His top areas of expertise are Synovial Osteochondromatosis, Bursitis, Tenosynovitis, and Tendinitis.
Tidewater Orthopaedic Associates Inc.
Robert Campolattaro is a Hand Surgeon and an Orthopedics provider in Hampton, Virginia. Dr. Campolattaro is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Toxic Synovitis. His top areas of expertise are Rhizarthrosis, Dupuytren Contracture, Ganglion Cyst, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and Fasciotomy. Dr. Campolattaro is currently accepting new patients.
The hip pain goes away within 7 to 10 days.
Toxic synovitis goes away on its own. There are no expected long-term complications.
Contact your child's provider for an appointment if:
- Your child has unexplained hip pain or a limp, with or without a fever
- Your child has been diagnosed with toxic synovitis and the hip pain lasts for longer than 10 days, the pain gets worse, or a high fever develops
Published Date: July 01, 2025
Published By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Pargas-Colina CD. Transient/toxic synovitis. Orthop Clin North Am. 2024;55(4):471-477. PMID: 39216952 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39216952/.
Sankar WN, Winell JJ, Horn BD, Wells L. The hip. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 719.
Singer NG, Onel KB. Evaluation of children with rheumatologic complaints. In: Hochberg MC, Gravallese EM, Smolen JS, van der Heijde D, Weinblatt ME, Weisman MH, eds. Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 103.
Takundwa P, Chen L, Malik RN. Evaluation of hip pain and management of toxic synovitis in the ultrasound era. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2021;37(1):34-38. PMID: 33394943 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33394943/.


