Keywords:
Inflammation, Infection, Developmental disease, Diagnostic procedure, Ultrasound, Plain radiographic studies, MR, Musculoskeletal joint, Musculoskeletal bone
Authors:
S. Peixoto1, E. Bandeira2, L. Lobo2, J. Fonseca-Santos2; 1Lisboa/PT, 2Lisbon/PT
DOI:
10.26044/essr2019/P-0142
Background
A limp represents a deviation from a normal age-appropriate gait pattern,
typically manifesting as jerky or laborious ambulation.
It is a common pediatric presentation and is often attributed to primary hip pathology,
but the spine,
abdomen,
pelvis,
or knee can also be implicated.
These multiple possible etiologies,
together with the barriers in communication common in the pediatric age,
pose a diagnostic challenge to the clinician.
Clinical history,
physical examination and laboratory tests may narrow the differential diagnosis.
Nevertheless imaging is often essential in the determination of the cause of limp and in guidance of management.
In this work we will focus on the etiologies of non-traumatic limp or hip pain in children,
which can result from inflammatory,
infective,
developmental,
vascular,
mechanical or neoplastic causes.