Author: Katie Noble, Jennifer Cochrane / Editor: Nick Tilbury / Codes: DP1, DP2, IP1, MuP2, SLO1Published: 15/10/2020

A 33-year-old female presents to the Emergency Department with a three month history of worsening atraumatic left hip pain. Pain is exacerbated by weightbearing and movement, and current analgesia from her GP is no longer effective. She also reports increasing fatigue and generalised joint stiffness of several months duration – particularly in the mornings. Her past medical history includes thyroiditis and a DVT during pregnancy 2 years ago. 

On examination, she has a tender left hip, the joint is not hot or erythematous and there is no obvious effusion compared to the right. She has a restricted range of movement in all directions and an antalgic gait. 

Observations: RR 16, sats 100% on air, HR 92, BP 120/80, Temp 38.3

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