limp
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A limp is a type of asymmetric abnormality of the 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 tests, and sometimes joint aspiration. Initial treatment involves pain management. A limp is the presenting problem in about 4% of children who vi
Key facts
- Medical condition (new).name
- Limp
- Medical condition (new).image
- Hinken 2010 PD smallscreen PD 2012.ogg
- Medical condition (new).caption
- Limping
- Medical condition (new).field
- Neurology, pediatrics, orthopedics
via Wikipedia infobox
~5 min read
Article
19 sectionsContents
- Definition
- Differential diagnosis
- Infection
- Septic arthritis
- Other
- Mechanical
- Trauma
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
- Other
- Inflammatory
- Transient synovitis
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Vascular
- Legg–Calvé–Perthes syndrome
- Neoplastic
- Diagnostic approach
- Epidemiology
- References
- External links
A limp is a type of asymmetric abnormality of the 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 tests, and sometimes joint aspiration. Initial treatment involves pain management. A limp is the presenting problem in about 4% of children who visit hospital emergency departments.
==Definition== A limp is a type of asymmetric abnormality of the gait. When due to pain it is referred to as an antalgic gait, in which the foot is in contact with the ground for a shorter duration than usual; in severe cases there may be a refusal to walk. Hip deformities with associated muscular weakness, on the other hand, may be present with a Trendelenburg gait, with the body shifted over the affected hip.