Limp affecting the hip and knee in children.

Limp and pain are common findings about the hip and knee in growing children. Epiphyseal growth peculiarities in children account for many of the specific disease entities. Simple but specific physical examination and mandatory simple X-rays will virtually always give or exclude a diagnosis. problems about the hip are usually serious, for example Legg-Perthes, slipped epiphysis and septic arthritis. Most childhood knee problems are annoying but not serious. Chondromalacia patellae and Osgood-Schlatter's disease seldom require treatment-but the knee is the most common site for osteogenic sarcoma.