Limp

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Biography

A limp is a type of asymmetric abnormality of the gait (human)|gait . Limping may be caused by pain, weakness, neuromuscular imbalance, or a skeletal deformity. The most common underlying cause of a painful limp is physical trauma ; however, in the absence of trauma, other serious causes such as septic arthritis , or slipped capital femoral epiphysis may be present. The diagnostic approach involves ruling out potentially serious causes via the use of X-rays, blood work, and potentially joint aspiration . Initial treatment involves pain management. A limp is the presenting problem in about 4% of children who visit the emergency department.

Definition

A limp is a type of asymmetric abnormality of the gait (human)|gait . When due to pain it is referred to as an antalgic gait , which has a shortened duration in which the foot is in contact with the ground; in severe cases there may be a refusal to walk. Hip deformities with associated muscular weakness, on the other hand, may present with a Trendelenburg gait , with the body shifted over the affected hip.

Differential diagnosis

The causes of limping are many and can be either serious or non-serious. It usually results from pain, weakness, neuromuscular imbalance, or a skeletal deformity. However, in 30% of cases the underlying cause remains unknown after appropriate investigations. The most common underlying cause of limping in children is minor physical trauma|trauma . In those with no history of trauma, 40% are due to transient synovitis and 2% are from Perthes' disease .

Infection

;Septic arthritis
Septic arthritis can be difficult to separate from more serious conditions such as transient synovitis . Factors that can help indicate septic arthritis rather than synovitis includes a WBC count greater than 12×10⁹/l, fever greater than 38.5 C, ESR greater than 40mm/hr, CRP greater than 2.0& nbsp;mg/dL, and refusal to walk. People with septic arthritis usually look clinically toxic or sick. However even in the absence of any of these factors septic arthritis maybe present. Joint aspiration is required to confirm the diagnosis.

;Other
Other infections that classically lead to a limp include Lyme disease (a bacterial infection spread by a deer tick) and osteomyelitis (an infection of the bone).

Mechanical

;Trauma
Accidental or deliberate Physical trauma|trauma may result in either a fracture, muscle bruising, or a contusion. It is the leading cause of a limp. Deliberate abuse is important to consider.

;Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a condition in which the growth plate of the head of the femur slips over the underlying bone. It most commonly presents with hip pain in males during puberty and is associated with obesity . The majority of people affected have a painful limp and in half of cases both hips are effected. Nearly a quarter of people however present with only knee pain. Treatment involves none weight-bearing and surgery. If not identified early osteonecrosis or death of the head of the femur may occur.

;Other
A non-painful limp may be due to a number of mechanical conditions including: developmental dysplasia of the hip and leg length differences.

Inflammatory

;Transient synovitis
Transient synovitis is a reactive arthritis of the hip of unknown cause. People are usually able to walk and have either a normal or a low grade fever. They usually look clinically non toxic or otherwise healthy. It may only be diagnosed once all other potential serious causes are excluded. With symptomatic care it usually resolves over one week.

;Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) present gradually with early morning stiffness, fatigue, and weight loss.

Vascular

;Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a degenerative disease of the head of the femur which results in bone loss and deformity. It usually presents as a chronic condition.

Neoplastic

Cancers including acute lymphocytic leukemia , osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma may result in a gradual onset of limping in children. It is often associated with night sweat, easy bruising, weight loss, and pain most prominent at night.

Diagnostic approach

The diagnosis of the cause of a limp is often made based on history, physical exam findings, laboratory tests, and radiological examination. If a limp is associated with pain it should be urgently investigated, while non-painful limps can be approached and investigated more gradually. Young children have difficult determining the location of leg pain thus in this population ‘‘knee pain equals hip pain’’. A SCFE can usually be excluded on an xray of the hips. A ultrasound or xray guided aspiration of the hip joint maybe required to rule out an infectious process within the hip.

Epidemiology

A limp at one hospital emergency department was the presenting complaint in 4 % of children. It occurs twice as commonly in boys as in girls.

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