A pediatric patient with hip pain where the pain radiates to the knee should undergo which test to investigate further?

A pediatric patient with hip pain where the pain radiates to the knee should undergo which test to investigate further?

• A. X-ray of the hip and knee
• B. CT scan of the hips
• C. Physical exam only
• D. Routine blood work

Answer: (A)

In cases of a pediatric patient presenting with hip pain that radiates to the knee, performing an X-ray of both the hip and knee is essential for several reasons. Firstly, this imaging test allows for the assessment of bony structures and can help identify any fractures, dislocations, or abnormalities in alignment that may contribute to the pain. Additionally, hip pain in children can sometimes be symptomatic of conditions such as transient synovitis, septic arthritis, or Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, which may not be immediately apparent through physical examination alone. An X-ray can help rule out any serious inherent issues or structural problems. While other diagnostic options like CT scans or blood work could be informative in different clinical contexts, an X-ray is typically the first-line imaging modality due to its effectiveness, accessibility, and ability to provide immediate insight into the situation. Thus, conducting an X-ray of both the hip and knee is the appropriate course of action to further investigate the patient’s condition.

In cases of a pediatric patient presenting with hip pain that radiates to the knee, performing an X-ray of both the hip and knee is essential for several reasons. Firstly, this imaging test allows for the assessment of bony structures and can help identify any fractures, dislocations, or abnormalities in alignment that may contribute to the pain.

Additionally, hip pain in children can sometimes be symptomatic of conditions such as transient synovitis, septic arthritis, or Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, which may not be immediately apparent through physical examination alone. An X-ray can help rule out any serious inherent issues or structural problems.

While other diagnostic options like CT scans or blood work could be informative in different clinical contexts, an X-ray is typically the first-line imaging modality due to its effectiveness, accessibility, and ability to provide immediate insight into the situation. Thus, conducting an X-ray of both the hip and knee is the appropriate course of action to further investigate the patient’s condition.