Paediatrics » Evaluation of common symptoms

A child with a limp or refusing to walk

A limp may be defined as any asymmetric deviation from a normal gait pattern.

The differential diagnosis of a limp includes trauma; infection; neoplasia; and inflammatory, congenital, neuromuscular or developmental disorders.

If the child has a limp, the first thing to find out is which leg is affected: the child avoids weight bearing on the affected extremity and climbs stairs with the healthy leg first. The challenge to the family physician is to identify the cause of the limp and determine, if further observation or immediate diagnostic work-up is indicated. A bone scan should be performed after two to four weeks if symptoms do not resolve or localize.

In order to proceed further, you need to have an account on IDG.
Create a new account now

Registered users, you can login below to access this page.