Septic Arthritis of the Hip in Chidhood

In 1995, three cases of septic arthritis of the hip joint in infancy and childhood were admitted to our hospital. Arthrotomy was performed in all patients immediately after the diagnosis had been established. Two patients who were treated within five days of symptom onset had good results. One patient in whan the diagnosis was made after 33 days from the onset of symptoms, had a limp and limited movement of the hip joint, with radiological evidence of a pathological incomplete dislocation.We recommend immediate diagnostic arthrocentesis of the hip joint under image intensifier for all suspected cases of septic arthritis of the hip joint, emergency arthrotomy should be performed as soon as the diagnosis of sephc arthrifis is made.