eMedicine Specialties > Emergency Medicine > Pediatric

Pediatrics, Limp: Multimedia

Author: Brian Wai Lin, MD, Staff Physician, Stanford/Kaiser Emergency Medicine Residency, Stanford University School of Medicine
Coauthor(s): Erik D Schraga, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mills-Peninsula Emergency Medical Associates; Consulting Staff, Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara Medical Center; Kathryn J Stevens, MD, FRCR, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Musculoskeletal Imaging and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery (by courtesy), Stanford Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 2, 2009

Multimedia

Demonstration of Galeazzi test to evaluate for le...Media file 1: Demonstration of Galeazzi test to evaluate for leg length discrepancy.
Demonstration of Galeazzi test to evaluate for le...

Demonstration of Galeazzi test to evaluate for leg length discrepancy.

Demonstration of FABER test to evaluate for sacro...Media file 2: Demonstration of FABER test to evaluate for sacro-iliac joint pathology.
Demonstration of FABER test to evaluate for sacro...

Demonstration of FABER test to evaluate for sacro-iliac joint pathology.

Demonstration of prone internal rotation. The man...Media file 3: Demonstration of prone internal rotation. The maneuver increases intracapsular pressure in the hip and will not be tolerated by a patient with an inflammatory process.
Demonstration of prone internal rotation. The man...

Demonstration of prone internal rotation. The maneuver increases intracapsular pressure in the hip and will not be tolerated by a patient with an inflammatory process.

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Patient with a painfu...Media file 4: Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Patient with a painful hip and limp for several months. Reproduced with permission from Loren Yamamoto, Radiology Cases in Pediatric Emergency Medicine.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Patient with a painfu...

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Patient with a painful hip and limp for several months. Reproduced with permission from Loren Yamamoto, Radiology Cases in Pediatric Emergency Medicine.

Toddler's fracture. Reproduced with permission fr...Media file 5: Toddler's fracture. Reproduced with permission from Radiology Cases in Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Volume 4, Case 18, Melinda D. Santhany, MD. Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine.
Toddler's fracture. Reproduced with permission fr...

Toddler's fracture. Reproduced with permission from Radiology Cases in Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Volume 4, Case 18, Melinda D. Santhany, MD. Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine.

Transient synovitis. Ultrasound image of the left...Media file 6: Transient synovitis. Ultrasound image of the left hip shows a large joint effusion. The fluid was aspirated leading to complete resolution of symptoms. No organisms were grown, and the diagnosis was transient synovitis.
Transient synovitis. Ultrasound image of the left...

Transient synovitis. Ultrasound image of the left hip shows a large joint effusion. The fluid was aspirated leading to complete resolution of symptoms. No organisms were grown, and the diagnosis was transient synovitis.

Ewing sarcoma. Anteroposterior radiograph of the ...Media file 7: Ewing sarcoma. Anteroposterior radiograph of the femur in a 14-year-old male shows an ill-defined permeative lytic lesion of the proximal femur, with lamellated periosteal reaction (arrows). Coronal inversion recovery MRI image demonstrated a tumor within the proximal femur, with reactive bone marrow edema. Lamellated periosteal reaction is present (arrows), and edema is seen in the adjacent soft tissues. The tumor was biopsy-proven as Ewing sarcoma.
Ewing sarcoma. Anteroposterior radiograph of the ...

Ewing sarcoma. Anteroposterior radiograph of the femur in a 14-year-old male shows an ill-defined permeative lytic lesion of the proximal femur, with lamellated periosteal reaction (arrows). Coronal inversion recovery MRI image demonstrated a tumor within the proximal femur, with reactive bone marrow edema. Lamellated periosteal reaction is present (arrows), and edema is seen in the adjacent soft tissues. The tumor was biopsy-proven as Ewing sarcoma.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Anteroposterior ra...Media file 8: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Anteroposterior radiograph of the hip shows ballooning of the femoral metaphysis and flattening of the femoral epiphysis, with erosion of the femoral head. On the sagittal T2-weighted image, a joint effusion with prominent nodular synovitis is observed (arrows). Erosions are seen in the acetabulum and femoral head (open arrows).
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Anteroposterior ra...

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Anteroposterior radiograph of the hip shows ballooning of the femoral metaphysis and flattening of the femoral epiphysis, with erosion of the femoral head. On the sagittal T2-weighted image, a joint effusion with prominent nodular synovitis is observed (arrows). Erosions are seen in the acetabulum and femoral head (open arrows).

Knee radiographs in leukemia. Oblique radiographs...Media file 9: Knee radiographs in leukemia. Oblique radiographs of the knee show lucent metaphyseal bands, which are seen in 90% of patients with leukemia.
Knee radiographs in leukemia. Oblique radiographs...

Knee radiographs in leukemia. Oblique radiographs of the knee show lucent metaphyseal bands, which are seen in 90% of patients with leukemia.

Osteochondroma. Anteroposterior and lateral radio...Media file 10: Osteochondroma. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the left leg in a 10-year-old boy with hereditary multiple exostoses showing multiple osteochondromas (arrows).
Osteochondroma. Anteroposterior and lateral radio...

Osteochondroma. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the left leg in a 10-year-old boy with hereditary multiple exostoses showing multiple osteochondromas (arrows).

Osgood-Schlatter disease. Lateral radiograph of t...Media file 11: Osgood-Schlatter disease. Lateral radiograph of the left knee showing fragmentation of the tibial tubercle with overlying soft tissue swelling, consistent with Osgood-Schlatter disease.
Osgood-Schlatter disease. Lateral radiograph of t...

Osgood-Schlatter disease. Lateral radiograph of the left knee showing fragmentation of the tibial tubercle with overlying soft tissue swelling, consistent with Osgood-Schlatter disease.

Osteoid osteoma. Anteroposterior film of the femu...Media file 12: Osteoid osteoma. Anteroposterior film of the femur in a 10-year-old boy shows cortical thickening of the medial aspect of the distal femur (arrows). Coronal inversion recovery demonstrates a high signal intensity lesion in the medial cortex, with associated bone marrow edema, biopsy proven to be an osteoid osteoma.
Osteoid osteoma. Anteroposterior film of the femu...

Osteoid osteoma. Anteroposterior film of the femur in a 10-year-old boy shows cortical thickening of the medial aspect of the distal femur (arrows). Coronal inversion recovery demonstrates a high signal intensity lesion in the medial cortex, with associated bone marrow edema, biopsy proven to be an osteoid osteoma.

Osteomyelitis. Anteroposterior radiograph of the ...Media file 13: Osteomyelitis. Anteroposterior radiograph of the pelvis in a 16-month-old boy shows erosion and lucency of the metaphysis in the right proximal femur (arrows). Coronal inversion recovery image show a joint effusion in the right hip. Extensive bone marrow edema is present in the femoral metaphysis, with edema in the surrounding soft tissues.
Osteomyelitis. Anteroposterior radiograph of the ...

Osteomyelitis. Anteroposterior radiograph of the pelvis in a 16-month-old boy shows erosion and lucency of the metaphysis in the right proximal femur (arrows). Coronal inversion recovery image show a joint effusion in the right hip. Extensive bone marrow edema is present in the femoral metaphysis, with edema in the surrounding soft tissues.

Osteosarcoma. Anteroposterior and lateral radiogr...Media file 14: Osteosarcoma. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs in a 9-year-old girl shows a destructive lesion of the distal femoral metaphysis medially, with aggressive sunburst periosteal reaction and a Codman's triangle on the lateral view (arrow). Coronal T1-weighted and axial T2-weighted images showing an expansile tumor of the distal femur with cortical destruction and extension into the soft tissues (arrows).
Osteosarcoma. Anteroposterior and lateral radiogr...

Osteosarcoma. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs in a 9-year-old girl shows a destructive lesion of the distal femoral metaphysis medially, with aggressive sunburst periosteal reaction and a Codman's triangle on the lateral view (arrow). Coronal T1-weighted and axial T2-weighted images showing an expansile tumor of the distal femur with cortical destruction and extension into the soft tissues (arrows).

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Anteroposterio...Media file 15: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Anteroposterior pelvis in an overweight13-year-old adolescent girl shows widening of the epiphyseal plate with irregular margins. Frog leg lateral views shows posteromedial displacement of the femoral head.
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Anteroposterio...

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Anteroposterior pelvis in an overweight13-year-old adolescent girl shows widening of the epiphyseal plate with irregular margins. Frog leg lateral views shows posteromedial displacement of the femoral head.

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Anteroposterior and f...Media file 16: Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Anteroposterior and frog leg lateral radiographs of the pelvis in a 8-year-old girl shows fragmentation and collapse of the left femoral capital epiphysis.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Anteroposterior and f...

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Anteroposterior and frog leg lateral radiographs of the pelvis in a 8-year-old girl shows fragmentation and collapse of the left femoral capital epiphysis.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip. Anteroposteri...Media file 17: Developmental dysplasia of the hip. Anteroposterior radiograph of the pelvis in a 2-year-old child demonstrates a shallow acetabulum on the right, with lateral uncovering of the femoral head. The left hip appears unremarkable.
Developmental dysplasia of the hip. Anteroposteri...

Developmental dysplasia of the hip. Anteroposterior radiograph of the pelvis in a 2-year-old child demonstrates a shallow acetabulum on the right, with lateral uncovering of the femoral head. The left hip appears unremarkable.

More on Pediatrics, Limp

Overview: Pediatrics, Limp
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Pediatrics, Limp
Treatment & Medication: Pediatrics, Limp
Follow-up: Pediatrics, Limp
Multimedia: Pediatrics, Limp
References

References

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Further Reading

Keywords

limping, limping in children, steppage gait, shuffling gait, peripheral nerve palsies, Marie-Charcot-Tooth disease, posttraumatic peroneal nerve palsy, ataxia, labyrinthitis, alcohol-induced organic brain disease, inherited diseases, Friedreich ataxiaotitis media, antalgic gaits, truncal lurch gait, exaggerated trunk swing, osteomyelitis, slapping gait, leg injuries, leg fractures, toddler's fractures, abuse injuries, sprains, avascular necrosis, Legg-Calve-Perthes diseasecerebral palsy, spastic paralysis, scissoring gait, vaulting gait, abnormal gait, toe-walking gait, leg length discrepancy, abductor lurch, Trendelenburg gait, waddling gait, stooped gait

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Brian Wai Lin, MD, Staff Physician, Stanford/Kaiser Emergency Medicine Residency, Stanford University School of Medicine
Brian Wai Lin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Emergency Medicine Residents Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Erik D Schraga, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mills-Peninsula Emergency Medical Associates; Consulting Staff, Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara Medical Center
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Kathryn J Stevens, MD, FRCR, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Musculoskeletal Imaging and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery (by courtesy), Stanford Medical Center
Kathryn J Stevens, MD, FRCR is a member of the following medical societies: British Society of Skeletal Radiology, International Skeletal Society, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, and Radiological Society of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Garry Wilkes, MBBS, FACEM, Director of Emergency Medicine, Bunbury Hospital, Western Australia; Medical Director, St John Ambulance, WA Ambulance Service; Adjunct Associate Professor, Edith Cowan University; Clinical Associate Professor, Rural Clinical School, University of Western Australia, Australia.
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner

Managing Editor

Grace M Young, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland Medical Center
Grace M Young, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Emergency Physicians
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

John D Halamka, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Richard G Bachur, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School; Associate Chief and Fellowship Director, Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Boston
Richard G Bachur, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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