This NHS content is written for people in England. Services, contact routes and treatment arrangements may differ in other countries.
Causes of limping in children
Limping in children is often caused by an obvious injury to the leg or foot, such as:
- a sprain or strain
- a blister, cut or bruise
- a broken bone
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.
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, cold or shivery
- your child also has severe pain in the lower part of their tummy
- your child's symptoms get worse
- Severe pain:
-
- always there and so bad it's hard to think or talk
- you cannot sleep
- it's very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress
- Moderate pain:
-
- always there
- makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
- you can manage to get up, wash or dress
- Mild pain:
-
- comes and goes
- is annoying but does not stop you doing daily activities
A&E safety messaging
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring any medicines you take with you.
Treatment for limping in children 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
Limping in children
Limping in children
Common causes of limping in children are a sprain or strain, or a broken bone. But a limp without an obvious cause should always be checked by a GP.
Depending on what’s causing your child's limp, a GP may advise you to treat it at home or refer them to a specialist if it's more serious.
Content supplied by the NHS website, refreshed 19 August 2026. View the original NHS article ↗
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