Limping Symptoms
Symptom Checker: Symptoms & Signs Index
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Limping refers to any type of difficulty that occurs while walking. Limping can be considered to be a form of walking that favors the use of one leg over another and is most commonly due to diseases of or damage to the legs and feet, including all of the structures such as muscles, bones, joints, blood vessels, and nerves that make up the lower extremities.
Limping can result from either an acute (having a recent onset) or chronic (long-term) condition. Injuries such as bone fractures, sprains, and strains are common causes of limping. Arthritis and congenital malformations (birth defects) are other potential causes. Limping can also result from conditions that damage the central nervous system, such as cerebral palsy. Depending on the precise cause, limping may be treatable in some cases or its severity may be reduced through the use of medications and/or surgical interventions.
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REFERENCE:
Fauci, Anthony S., et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2008.
Causes of Limping
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Bone Fracture (Broken Bone) Fractures occur when bone cannot withstand the outside forces applied to the bone. Fractures can be open or closed. Types of...learn more »In This ArticleBone Fracture (Broken Bone) Article- Bone fracture facts
- Introduction and definition of bone fracture
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Cerebral Palsy Cerebral palsy (CP) is an abnormality of motor function and postural tone acquired at an early age (even before birth). Cerebral...learn more »In This ArticleCerebral Palsy Article- Cerebral palsy facts
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Gout Gout is a condition that results from crystals of uric acid depositing in tissues of the body. Gout is a condition that can lead...learn more »In This ArticleGout Article- Gout and hyperuricemia facts
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Hamstring Injury Hamstring injuries may range from minor strains to major ruptures. A hamstring injury causes spasm, tightness, and tenderness....learn more »In This ArticleHamstring Injury Article- What are the hamstrings?
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Herniated Disc A herniated disc may be caused by injury or degeneration from age. Symptoms depend on the location of the herniation and whether...learn more »In This ArticleHerniated Disc Article- Herniated disc facts
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Osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. Potential causes include injections around the bone, fractures that puncture the skin,...learn more »In This ArticleOsteomyelitis Article- Osteomyelitis facts
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Peripheral Vascular Disease Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) refers to diseases of the blood vessels (arteries and veins) located outside the heart and...learn more »In This ArticlePeripheral Vascular Disease Article- Peripheral vascular disease facts
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Pinched Nerve A pinched nerve can be caused of a variety of conditions, for example, carpal tunnel syndrome, herniated disc, sciatica,...learn more »In This ArticlePinched Nerve Article- Pinched nerve facts
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Polio Polio is caused by the poliovirus and is spread through person-to-person contact. In non-paralytic polio, patients experience...learn more »In This ArticlePolio Article- What is the history of polio?
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Psoriatic Arthritis Psoriatic arthritis is a disease that causes skin and joint inflammation. Symptoms include painful, stiff, and swollen joints,...learn more »In This ArticlePsoriatic Arthritis Article- Psoriatic arthritis facts
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as...learn more »In This ArticleRheumatoid Arthritis Article- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) facts
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Septic Arthritis Septic arthritis, or infectious arthritis, is infection of one or more joints by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Symptoms and signs...learn more »In This ArticleSeptic Arthritis Article- What is septic arthritis?
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Sprains and Strains An injury to a ligament is called a sprain, and an injury to muscle or tendon is called a strain. Sprains and strains may be...learn more »In This ArticleSprains and Strains Article- Muscle sprains and strains facts
- What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?
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Vasculitis Vasculitis is a general term for a group of uncommon diseases which feature inflammation of the blood vessels. Each form of...learn more »In This ArticleVasculitis Article- What is vasculitis?
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- Vasculitis At A Glance
- Related vasculitis article
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