Limping in children is not usually serious and could be caused by something minor like a sprain or strain. But you should see a GP if it's not obvious what's causing it.
Causes of limping in children
Limping in children is often caused by an obvious injury to the leg or foot, such as:
Sometimes it may not be clear what's causing your child to limp. The symptoms might give you an idea of what the cause might be.
But do not self-diagnose – a limp with no obvious cause should always be checked by a GP as it could be a sign of something serious.
Other symptoms
- Sudden pain in the hip, knee or thigh, sometimes after a viral infection - possible cause Irritable hip
- Pain in the groin, hip or knee, stiff hip, foot or leg turns inward - possible cause Slipped upper femoral epiphysis
- Painful, swollen joints that lasts for longer than 6 weeks - possible cause Different types of juvenile arthritis
- Pain in the groin, thigh or knee after exercise, stiff hip - possible cause Perthes' disease
- A lump on your child's leg, weight loss, pain at night - possible cause A cancer, such as leukaemia, sarcoma or lymphoma
See a GP if:
- your child has a limp and you're not sure what's causing it
Call 999 or go to A & E if:
- your child gets sudden pain in their hip, knee or thigh (hip problems can sometimes be felt in the thigh or knee)
- your child cannot put any weight on their leg
- the leg has changed shape or is pointing at an odd angle
- your child feels generally unwell and has a high temperature or feels hot and shivery
- your child also has severe pain in the lower part of their tummy
- your child's symptoms get worse
Find your nearest A & E
Treatment from a GP
Treatment will depend on what's causing your child to limp. Sometimes it may get better on its own.
A GP will examine your child and may arrange for more tests to find out what's causing your child to limp.
They might:
- give you advice on how to treat a sprain or strain at home, such as rest and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen
- refer you to hospital for an X-ray or to a specialist (for example, a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon) to help find the cause