Musculoskeletal Infection of the Hip

Anatomic characteristics of the growing bone, joint and muscles of the hip predispose it to be the most common site of infection in children. Without rapid diagnosis and treatment, children may suffer from a wide range of devastating complications such as avascular necrosis of the proximal femoral epiphysis or even death. Unfortunately, clinical features of hip infection are often indistinguishable from trauma, neoplasm and rheumatologic conditions. In addition, current culturing techniques are inefficient relative to the rapid clinical decision-making required to avoid complications. Fortunately, modern techniques of monitoring the acute phase response and utilizing improved imaging modalities permit rapid diagnosis, risk assessment and monitoring of efficacious antibiotic and surgical treatment. Orthopaedic surgeons must necessarily be facile at making a rapid diagnosis and providing rapid antibiotic and potentially surgical treatment to avoid the morbidity and mortality of peri-hip infections.