ABSTRACT
Evaluation of the pediatric patient with a limp can prove to be a diagnostic dilemma for the advanced practice nurse in the emergency department setting. The etiologies are numerous and the examination is often difficult. The source of a limp can range from etiologies as serious as infections or tumors to sources as minor as a blister on a toe or an item in a shoe. When evaluating a child with a limp, the practitioner must elicit a thorough history from the caregiver, perform a careful examination of the child, and help assure that more emergent conditions are not overlooked. In this article, pertinent history questions, examination cues, and appropriate work-ups will be discussed.