Signs and Symptoms

Pain in the hip can arise from many sites and pathologies. Hip problems can present with a limp.

• Hip pathology can cause pain in the groin, thigh or knee (referred pain) - so check hernia sites and in boys, testes
• Pain in the hip can be referred from the back
• Do not ignore a limp.

• Pain in the hip of a pyrexic child requires urgent admission to the emergency department
• Sudden onset and severe pain, d/w on call team

Referral Criteria

Urgent Referral

• Pain in the hip of child resulting in a limp requires referral to orthopaedics. Please mark as urgent.

Routine referral

• Pain in the hip without a limp requires a referral to orthopaedics.
  • State duration of symptoms.

No investigations required prior to referral

Referral Instructions

e-Referral Service Selection

• Specialty: Children's and Adolescent Services
• Clinic Type: Orthopaedics
• Service: DRSS-Western-Child & Adolescent -Devon ICB-15N

Referral Form

DRSS Referral form

Pathway Group

This guideline has been signed off on behalf of NHS Devon.

Publication date: May 2017