Limp & Fracture Flashcards
What are the key clinical features to identify on hx and examination of child presenting with limp?
Unilateral vs. bilateral
Sudden or gradual onset
Degree of weight bearing - some with pain or completely NWB
Pain at rest?
ROM?
Local symptoms of joint?
Pain in buttocks, thigh and/or knee - consider abdo pain & testicular pathology
Context - Hx of trauma or injury, recent URTI or other infection
Systemic features - infection, sepsis, abdo pain, rash, neurological symptoms
Immunosuppressed?
Well or unwell child - possible sepsis? Vitals Shortened limb or altered position of limb Reduced ROM - esp. abduction and internal rotation Asymmetrical thigh/gluteal creases Swelling, redness of joint Localised tenderness Neurological findings Gait examination Ortolani and barlow tests in infant
What are important DDx to consider in all ages in child with a limp?
Septic arthritis Osteomyelitis Traumatic fracture NAI Malignancy Rheumatological - JIA Functional limp
What are DDx specifically in infants with limp/non-weight bearing?
DDH
What are DDx specifically in toddlers with limp/non-weight bearing?
DDH
Irritable hip (transient synovitis)
Toddler’s fracture
Perthes disease
What are DDx specifically in school aged child (<10) with limp/non-weight bearing??
Transient synovitis
Perthe’s disease
What are DDx specifically in adolescence (>10) with limp/non-weight bearing??
Overuse
SUFE
When should a child with limp be Ix and what Ix should be done?
If no concerning features, limp <3 days typically doesn’t require Ix
Bloods - FBE, CRP, ESR, blood cultures
XR - typically first line - chronic osteomyelitis, fracture, DDH after 6mths age, SUFE, perthe’s
U/S - effusion (transient synovitis, septic arthritis), DDH
MRI - septic arthritis
Bone scan - osteomyelitis, occult fracture
Who typically presents with transient synovitis?
Very common - most common cause of limp in pre-school age
Typically 2-8 years
How is transient synovitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis of exclusion
Absence of fever, severe symptoms, raised CRP, ESR and duration <3 days, hx of URTI highly suggestive
Joint effusion on U/S suggestive (but can’t determine if sterile or not)
What is the typical presentation of transient synovitis?
Constitutionally well child presenting with pain in hip and or partial limp
Usually unilateral but can be bilateral - if bilateral unlikely septic
Hx of recent URTI or viral illness
What are the clinical features of transient synovitis?
Mild-moderate decreased ROM (cf. with severe reduction in septic)
Afebrile, appears well
May have had previous episode - small number have repeated episodes
What are the common causes and affected joints of septic arthritis?
Most commonly lower limb
S.aureus, GAS, HIB
Gonorrhoea can cause - consider in sexually active adolescent
What is the typical presentation of septic arthritis?
Acute onset joint pain/pain with walking
Non-weight bearing or refusal to use limb
May appear unwell
Febrile
What are the clinical features of septic arthritis?
Severed reduced ROM
Pain occurring at rest
Unable to weight bear
Fever
Vitals - suggestive of sepsis
Appearance and behaviour - suggestive of sepsis
May have hx of trauma, route of infection, immunosuppression
What are features to help distinguish between septic arthritis of hip and transient synovitis?
More likely in septic arthritis
- Fever
- appears unwell
- complete NWB compared to partial
- more severe restriction of ROM
- persisting >3 days without improvement
Kocher’s criteria - elevated WCC & ESR, NWB, Fever - highly sensitive for septic arthritis if all present
CRP - independent factor
If fever and raised CRP highly suggestive of septic arthritis
U/S can show effusion but this can be present in both
