Septic Hip

Hi T.,

Sorry to hear about your daughter. I hope she is feeling better.

It sounds like you have caught the problem early and if your daughter is doing well with her recovery then you should have nothing to worry about - except maybe a scar from the operation.

My niece had a septic hip when she was 5 going on 6. She became very ill, was in the hospital for several weeks - and was really touch and go for a bit. She's now 10 years old and is a thriving athlete and very active little girl. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Obviously, it is something that you will have to monitor as your daughter gets older - my neice had some pain in her hip a little over a year ago, but it ended up being nothing. For a while, my niece clearly had more strength in one leg than the other, but through therapy and sports, her leg strengthened to the same as the other one. Like I said, she leads a completely normal and extremely active life - she does horseback riding, gymnastics, field hockey, cheerleading, ballet/dancing, etc. without any problems whatsoever.

I think for a while she was a bit self-conscious about her scar - especially when she wore a swimming suit amongst her peers - but it has faded / she is used to it now - so there's no issue.

I guess I've said it in a very verbose way - but your daughter should be fine! Best wishes with her continued recovery.

T.,
My son had this problem when he was roughly 2 and a half. He is now 15 and has never ever had any problem from it.
Which suprised me since it took me almost a full week of taking him back to the Doctors office to get them to see there was something wrong with this child and that a 2 year old doesn't just sit in one spot all day crying in pain because his leg hurts. I think they finally got tired of seeing me and sent us to an Ortho, who knew immediatly what the problem was and sent us to the ER of Childrens hospital within 15 minutes of being seen in his office. His receptionist actually drove us there.
But like I said after a week in the hospital and his surgery to take care of the hip, he has never looked back.
Hopefully yours will be the same way!!!

My daughter got a septic knee when she was 7. We were told it is more common to get it in the hip. We have had no long term problems and she is now 11. If you catch it early then usually it is not a problem other than the immediate drama.

I had never heard of it until we experienced it. Since then I have learned if you don't catch it early it can get into your blood stream and that is extremely dangerous and even fatal. I tell everyone I know our story so that just in case they ever need to know such a thing does exist.

Ours was brought on by a hurt knee and a stomach virus days apart. But we have had no long term effects.

Scottish Rite Hospital is an option if you need pediatric orthopaedic help in the future. Hope she's OK.

Hi T.
My husband had osteomyelitis in his hip when he was 3 or 4. He will occasionally have pain there, and was in the hospital in traction for a few weeks, but is fine now. He runs and does triathlons, so no long term damage. I pray for a favorable outcome for your daughter as well.