🦴 Kocher Criteria (Septic Arthritis of Hip)
Differentiate septic arthritis from transient synovitis of the hip in children (Kocher criteria).
Kocher Criteria (Septic Arthritis of Hip)
Non-weight-bearing on affected side
ESR > 40 mm/h
Temperature > 38.5 °C
WBC > 12 ×10⁹/L
When to use
Estimate the probability of a septic hip in an irritable child.
How it works
Non-weight-bearing, ESR > 40, temperature > 38.5 °C, WBC > 12 (1 each). Probability rises from < 0.2% (0) to ~99% (4).
Key points
- Higher counts warrant joint aspiration.
- CRP adds discriminatory value.
- A low count does not fully exclude infection.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.