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YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH/BONE AND JOINT DISORDERS: LIMP

September 11th, 2009

When a child limps he carries his weight more on one leg than on the other, usually because of pain although a limp can also be painless.

Cause

There are numerous possible causes for a limp, ranging from a bruised leg or foot, a tight shoe, or a wart on the sole of the foot, to a broken bone (fracture), or cerebral palsy. A bone tumour can cause a limp, but these tumours are rare.

Clinical features

The child’s limp favours the good leg, and puts as little weight as possible on the leg that is causing pain. Sometimes the child will be able to point to the area of pain, but more often it is generalised and the muscles themselves are sore from straining due to the limp.

When to see your doctor

Any child who has a limp that persists for more than a day, which does not have an obvious cause such as a tight shoe, should be seen by a doctor without delay.

You should also see your doctor:

• your child has an unexplained fever;

• your child refuses to walk at all;

• there is obvious swelling of part of the hip or leg, especially around a joint.

Treatment

Treatment depends on establishing the particular cause of the limp. In minor injuries, rest may be all that is required. Problems of a more serious nature should be referred to a specialist for further assessment.

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