Limping

A limp is when a child walks unusually, often due to pain. There are many causes of limping in children, and most are not serious.

Signs and symptoms

Children with a limp may complain of pain in their muscles, joints (ankles, knees or hips), groin, abdomen or back.

A limp is noticed when your child walks unusually or finds it difficult to crawl or stand. Sometimes children will feel pain in a different part of the limb to where there is swelling or injury. For example, they might have a sore knee that causes them to limp when there is inflammation in the hip.

What causes limping in children?

Transient synovitis

One of the most common causes of a limp is transient synovitis. This is when the lining of your child’s joint becomes swollen and painful. It’s sometimes called “irritable hip” when it affects the hip joint. This can occur after a virus. Viruses can also cause inflammation in muscles, called myositis. These conditions are not serious, do not cause permanent damage and get better over time with rest.

Injury

Limps can be caused by an injury to the legs such as a strain, sprain or fracture.

Infection

It’s rare, but your child may have an infection in a joint or bone which requires treatment. If your doctor thinks that this may be the case, they will do further investigations.

Inflammation

Inflammatory or autoimmune conditions may cause joint swelling, or symptoms in other parts of your child’s body that leads to a limp. Inflammatory conditions often require some tests and longer-term treatment.

Referred pain

Abdominal and groin pain can sometimes also present in young children with limping.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask you and your child questions about their symptoms and general health. They will also examine your child and get them to walk. Most children do not require any further testing, however some children may need a blood test or imaging (such as X-ray or ultrasound).

Treatment

Most causes of a limp do not require any specific treatment and will improve on their own with rest, pain relief like ibuprofen and time. In these cases, your child can be cared for at home with a plan to see your GP in a few days to make sure they are recovering.

It’s a rare occurrence, but if your child has a more serious cause for their limp, they may require admission to hospital for observation, further tests, antibiotics through a drip, or surgery.

Care at home

Your child will need to rest so they can recover. For the first 48 hours you can give simple pain relief regularly including anti-inflammatories (e.g., ibuprofen, Nurofen) and/or paracetamol. After 48 hours, your child should start to feel better and can gradually return to their normal activities including school and sports.

When to seek help

See your doctor if your child:

• is unable to walk, stand or crawl on their leg
• develops fevers
• is not improving after 3 days, or their limp has not resolved after 14 days
• has changes to their wees or poos frequency or continence.
• has pain that wakes them at night or does not settle with paracetamol and ibuprofen
• has a joint that has become red and swollen
• gets a new rash
• becomes tired, lethargic or unwell in themselves.

In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Otherwise, visit the emergency department of your nearest hospital. For less urgent medical advice, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) 24/7 to talk to a registered nurse who can advise on the best course of action.