My 6 year old is limping what could it be?

What the evidence says

A limp means your child is walking differently than usual, often because something hurts. There are many possible causes, and most are not serious. Common ones include a minor sprain or bruise, a splinter or blister on the foot, sore muscles from activity, or growing pains.

One very common cause in kids this age is called transient synovitis. This is a temporary swelling of the hip joint lining that often shows up a week or two after a cold or other viral illness. It usually goes away on its own within one to two weeks.

Less often, a limp can come from an infection in a bone or joint, a condition affecting the hip called Perthes disease, juvenile arthritis, or even pain from the belly, like appendicitis or bad constipation, that makes a child favor one side. Doctors use the pattern of the limp, how it started, and other symptoms to narrow things down.

Because it can be hard to tell a harmless limp from something needing treatment, every child who is limping should be seen by a doctor, especially if it lasts more than a day or two. See a doctor right away, the same day, if your child also has a fever, will not put weight on the leg at all, has obvious swelling or redness, or seems very unwell.

If the limp appeared suddenly after a fall or injury, or if your child is in severe pain, refuses to walk at all, or has a leg that looks deformed, treat this as urgent and seek care promptly rather than waiting to see if it improves.