Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
09:38
The Ladder Rung Walking Task: A Scoring System and its Practical Application.
Published on: June 12, 2009
26.0K
The Limping Child: A Guide for the Trainees
Norah AlRohaimi1,2,3, Hamad Alkhalaf1,2,3, Jubran Alqanatish1,2,3
1Department of Pediatrics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, 14611, Saudi Arabia.
Current Pediatric Reviews
|August 12, 2024
Summary
Limping in children presents a diagnostic challenge due to many causes, from normal development to infections. This guide helps physicians identify common causes and understand gait analysis for better diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Pediatric Gait Analysis
Background:
- Limping is a frequent pediatric complaint, yet its diverse origins pose diagnostic difficulties.
- Causes range from developmental variations to systemic inflammatory diseases, infections, and rare non-musculoskeletal issues.
- Diagnostic challenges are amplified in younger children due to examination limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a practical guide for pediatric trainees on approaching a limping child.
- To outline common etiologies of childhood limping.
- To enhance understanding of normal and abnormal gait cycles in pediatric assessment.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical assessment strategies for pediatric limping.
- Emphasis on gait analysis to guide diagnostic testing.
- Discussion of common and uncommon causes of limping in children.
Main Results:
- A structured approach to pediatric limping is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Gait analysis serves as a key tool in directing laboratory and imaging studies.
- Understanding developmental gait variations is essential.
Conclusions:
- This guide aims to equip General Pediatric and Pediatric Rheumatology trainees with the knowledge to effectively diagnose limping children.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is vital for appropriate management of pediatric limping.
- Comprehensive assessment, including gait analysis, improves diagnostic yield.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Assessing Blood pressure in the Leg
Proper measurement of leg blood pressure is a critical skill for healthcare providers, ensuring precise and reliable readings. When performed correctly, this procedure informs patient care and enhances the efficacy of interventions. The following text outlines step-by-step guidelines to measure blood pressure in the leg, providing clarity and ease of understanding for practitioners.
Preparation:
Preparation:
01:16Bones 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...
01:10Bones of the Lower Limb: Tibia and Fibula
The tibia is the main weight-bearing bone of the lower leg. It is larger than the fibula with which it is paired. The tibia is also the second longest bone in the body and is located right below the skin. The proximal end of the tibia forms the medial and the lateral condyle, which articulates with the condyles of the femur to form the knee joint. Between the articulating surfaces is the irregular elevated area known as the intercondylar eminence that serves as the inferior attachment point for...
01:23Muscles 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...
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...
01:28Muscles of the Leg that Move the Foot and Toes
The human leg comprises an intricate system of muscles that facilitate the movement of feet and toes. Within this system, the muscles are categorized into the anterior, lateral, and posterior compartments, each with a unique set of muscles carrying out specific functions.
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment includes muscles that contribute to the dorsiflexion of the foot. This compartment houses the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles.
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment includes muscles that contribute to the dorsiflexion of the foot. This compartment houses the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles.
01:28Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
A kidney transplant is a surgical approach that involves replacing a non-functioning kidney with a healthy one from a donor. This procedure is often a treatment option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The method requires careful recipient selection, including evaluating various medical and psychosocial factors. These criteria vary between transplant centers but generally include assessments of the patient's overall health, adherence to medical recommendations, and lifestyle...