Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

In Vivo Quantification of Hip Arthrokinematics during Dynamic Weight-bearing Activities using Dual Fluoroscopy
07:43

In Vivo Quantification of Hip Arthrokinematics during Dynamic Weight-bearing Activities using Dual Fluoroscopy

Published on: July 2, 2021

Limp affecting the hip and knee in children

W P Bobechko

    Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
    |January 29, 2011
    PubMed

    Insights

    Pediatric hip and knee pain in children often stems from growth peculiarities. Prompt diagnosis via physical exams and X-rays is crucial for identifying serious hip conditions and ruling out rare but aggressive knee tumors.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Orthopedics
    • Pediatric Rheumatology
    • Pediatric Radiology

    Background:

    • Limping and pain in the hip and knee are common in growing children.
    • Epiphyseal growth variations are a frequent cause of pediatric musculoskeletal conditions.
    • Hip problems in children often indicate serious underlying pathology.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To highlight the diagnostic approach to pediatric hip and knee pain.
    • To differentiate between common and serious causes of pediatric lower limb pain.
    • To emphasize the importance of physical examination and imaging in diagnosis.

    Main Methods:

    • Clinical assessment including physical examination.
    • Radiographic imaging (X-rays) for diagnosis.
    • Review of common pediatric hip and knee conditions.

    Main Results:

    • Most childhood knee issues are benign, though the knee is a site for osteogenic sarcoma.
    • Hip pathologies like Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, and septic arthritis require prompt attention.
    • Conditions such as chondromalacia patellae and Osgood-Schlatter's disease typically have a good prognosis with conservative management.

    Conclusions:

    • A focused physical exam and X-rays are highly effective in diagnosing pediatric hip and knee pain.
    • Early identification of serious hip conditions is critical for optimal outcomes.
    • While most knee pain in children is not serious, vigilance for malignancy is necessary.

    More Related Videos

    Quantifying Learning in Young Infants: Tracking Leg Actions During a Discovery-learning Task11:18

    Quantifying Learning in Young Infants: Tracking Leg Actions During a Discovery-learning Task

    Published on: June 1, 2015

    Related Concept Videos

    Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella01:16

    Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella

    The femur is the body's longest and strongest bone spanning the thigh region. Its head articulates with the acetabulum of the hip bone to form the hip joint. A minor indentation on the medial side of the femoral head, called the fovea capitis, serves as the site of attachment for the ligament of the head of the femur. This weak ligament spans the femur and acetabulum and supports the hip joint. The narrowed region below the head is the neck of the femur. The inclination angle between the neck...
    Knee Joint01:23

    Knee Joint

    The knee joint is the most complicated joint in the body. It consists of three articulations– two tibiofemoral and one patellofemoral. As is characteristic of synovial joints, the knee joint has a thin articular capsule that partially surrounds this joint cavity. Additionally, several ligaments, muscles, and cartilaginous structures support the movement of the knee.
    A total of seven ligaments support the knee joint. The patellar ligament, which is also attached to the quadriceps femoris group...
    Muscles that Move the Leg01:23

    Muscles that Move the Leg

    The movement of the legs is facilitated by numerous muscles located within the anterior, medial, and posterior compartments of the thigh.
    Anterior Compartment
    The quadriceps femoris, the most visible muscle of the anterior compartment, is integral for leg extension and thigh flexion. It is formed by merging four distinct muscles — the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and rectus femoris. The quadriceps tendon, a shared tendon of the four quadriceps muscles, is affixed to...
    Poliomyelitis01:17

    Poliomyelitis

    Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
    Muscles that Move the Thigh01:20

    Muscles that Move the Thigh

    The thigh's motion is primarily governed by muscles originating in the pelvic girdle and inserted into the femur. One crucial muscle, the iliopsoas, is a combination of the psoas major and the iliacus muscles, sharing a common insertion point on the lesser trochanter of the femur.
    Three other significant muscles are the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. The gluteus maximus originates from the posterior surface of the ilium, sacrum, and coccyx, and the thoracolumbar fascia...
    Lysosomal Hydrolases01:22

    Lysosomal Hydrolases

    Lysosomes are the site for the degradation of macromolecules and biological polymers released during membrane trafficking events such as secretory, endocytic, autophagic, and phagocytic pathways. The membrane-enclosed area of the lysosome, called the lumen, contains hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment. These acid hydrolases are functional at a pH between 4.5 and 5 and are involved in cellular processes such as cell signaling, energy metabolism, restoration of the plasma membrane,...