What causes limping in children?
Many things can cause children to limp. The causes often vary according to age. In most cases, limping is caused by something mild that goes away on its own.
Common causes of limping in children include:
- bruising to the leg or foot
- an ankle sprain
- a tight shoe
- a wart on the sole of the foot
- a viral infection called ‘irritable hip’.
More serious causes of limping include a fracture, cerebral palsy, developmental dysplasia of the hip, a bone or joint infection, or arthritis. Bone tumours can also cause a limp, but these tumours are rare.
Limping symptoms
If your child has a limp, it will look like they’re walking in an unusual way.
This is because your child is putting more weight on the leg that doesn’t hurt when they walk. They’re also putting as little weight as possible on the leg that hurts. They might sway their body from side to side.
A limp can change the way your child’s muscles work. It might make the muscles ache because they’re under increased strain.
If the limp is caused by an infection, your child will usually have a fever, and they might be irritable and not eat well.
When should your child see a doctor about limping?
If your child limps for more than a day and there’s no obvious cause like a tight shoe or something in their shoe, you should take your child to see your GP as soon as possible.
You should also see your GP if your child:
- has an unexplained fever or night sweats
- refuses to walk at all
- limits how much sport or physical activity they do
- has obvious swelling or redness on part of the hip or leg, especially around a joint
- has pain that is constant or severe
- has unexplained weight loss or a change in appetite.
Tests for a limp
Depending on your child’s symptoms, your GP might order blood tests or imaging tests of the leg that your child is limping with. These tests might include an X-ray, an ultrasound or even a bone scan.
Limping treatment
Treatment for a limp depends on its cause.
If your child is limping and in pain, pain relief might help – for example, paracetamol or ibuprofen. It’s best to ask a GP or pharmacist about this.
If your child has a minor injury, they might need to rest.
If your child has irritable hip, they need to rest. Your child also needs careful follow-up to check that their symptoms are improving. Irritable hip usually gets better on its own in 3-14 days.
If your child’s limp doesn’t go away, your GP might refer your child to a physiotherapist or a specialist for further assessment and treatment.