A practical approach to joint pain in children. Issue 2 (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Price, James; Heinz, Peter
• Is Part Of: Paediatrics and child health. Volume 32:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 49
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: children -- joint pain -- limp; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pédiatrie -- Périodiques; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paed.2021.11.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-7222

Abstract

Abstract: Children presenting with joint pain are not uncommon - approximately 5% of all paediatric emergency department encounters are due to atraumatic childhood limp. The majority of these cases are benign and self-limiting; however, a thorough history, examination and selection of appropriate investigations are required in order to exclude rare, serious, and life-threatening underlying pathological conditions. This review article proposes a structured approach to the limping child, risk stratifies disease based on age, radiological and laboratory findings, and provides a standardized algorithm to expedite diagnosis and ensure safe clinical management.