*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Hip Pain Children Irritable Hip

Causes of hip pain in children

A condition called irritable hip is the most common cause of hip pain in children. This is where the hip joint becomes sore and inflamed.

Irritable hip can be painful, but it's not usually serious and often gets better by itself.

Other possible causes of hip pain in children include:

an infected hip joint (septic arthritis)
an injury like a broken bone
a problem with the hip bones and blood supply to the hip joint (Perthes' disease)

These other causes are less common but more serious.

your child gets sudden pain in their hip, thigh or knee (hip problems can sometimes be felt in the thigh or knee)
your child is limping or cannot put any weight on 1 leg

To find out what's causing your child's hip pain, a doctor or nurse may:

Sometimes a blood test or other scans may also be done to confirm it's nothing serious.

Irritable hip usually gets better in 1 or 2 weeks and does not cause lasting problems.

If your child has irritable hip, you can usually look after them at home.

make sure they rest their leg until they are feeling better - keep them off nursery or school until they have recovered
give them ibuprofen for children or paracetamol for children for their pain
attend any follow-up appointments recommended by your doctor or nurse

do not let them do any activities that could put a lot of strain on their hip for at least 2 weeks - they can gradually return to their normal activities once they're feeling better (swimming is a good way to get the joint moving again)

This might mean they have a more serious problem.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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