Limp (limp)

A walking error popularly known as limp is called, that is limp or Paralyze, which represents a massive limitation of mobility for those affected.

What is limping or hobbling?

The limp or hobble is initially noticeable through the typical gait disorders. The person affected can no longer put weight on one or both feet as before and therefore shifts their body weight - limping occurs.
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At the limp or. limp there is a noticeable irregularity in the gait. This can be more or less pronounced depending on the extent. Limping prevents people from moving as quickly as is normally possible.

When hobbling, there are various impairments known as shortening, painful or stiffening limbs. Depending on the cause, the limp is also divided into the so-called intermittent, psychogenic, paralyzing and hip limping.

Other forms of hobbling can also be triggered by various other causes. In all variants of the limp, the disorders can occur as so-called mixed forms.

causes

The limp can have very different causes, which are both psychological and physical. The triggers for an irregular gait are usually based on the holding and supporting apparatus of the leg and usually on a disturbed transmission of nerve impulses. This can in turn be attributed to a disease of the controlling nerve areas when hobbling.

A limp can be caused by two legs of unequal length, a displacement of the pelvis that occurs on one side, deformities (deviations from the normal structure) and complaints of the foot, stiffness and muscle contractures, balance disorders caused by a pointed or clubfoot, damage to the knee or hip joint, Arthritic impairments and so-called neuromuscular system diseases arise.

Other causes of limp include damage to the muscles, paralysis, gait disorders due to various bone diseases or amputations of the lower legs.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

The limp or hobble is initially noticeable through the typical gait disorders. The person affected can no longer put weight on one or both feet as before and therefore shifts their body weight - limping occurs. The limp can usually be recognized by the noticeable gait. Whether and which accompanying symptoms occur depends on the cause of the limp.

In general, hobbling is associated with pain. If the symptoms are caused by an injury to the foot, swelling, bruising and pressure pain can occur. If the cause is gout or rheumatic disease, symptoms appear throughout the body and stabbing pain also occurs in other limbs. The hobbling may be accompanied by a feeling of illness or a general malaise.

In the long run hobbling can lead to bad posture and consequential symptoms such as joint wear, back pain or tension. As a result of the restricted mobility, mental complaints can arise, which are often exacerbated by the noticeable gait. If a bruise, overstretching or another relatively harmless cause is responsible for the limp, the symptoms usually subside quickly. As soon as the underlying disease has disappeared, it can reappear as before.

Diagnosis & course

When diagnosing the Limping the medical professionals rely on various proven methods. In addition to the precise observation of the gait pattern and an optical examination of the body functions in the area of ​​the musculoskeletal system, different neurological procedures are useful to determine a limp.

Imaging procedures are often appropriate in order to clarify the causes precisely as part of the diagnosis of limping. If it is only a temporary limp due to a psychogenic or hysterical trigger, a psychiatrist is also called in for the diagnosis.

By looking at the gait pattern, it is already possible to identify the type of limp without any technical aids. If this is not clearly possible, additional diagnostic methods are used. The reports from those affected are also important in order to clearly determine a limp.

Complications

Limping is a very unhealthy physical condition and, in the long run, without treatment, can lead to significant restrictions and discomfort in the patient's life. This usually results in severe pain and swelling. Those affected also suffer from restricted mobility and can no longer actively participate in life.

The limping also significantly reduces the patient's resilience. In some cases, those affected are dependent on walking aids. As a rule, disturbances of balance occur. It is not uncommon for certain joints and muscles to be stressed and thus damaged by limping. In the long term, this can result in irreversible damage that can lead to severe restrictions on movement.

Treatment of these complaints usually does not lead to further complications.However, it is always based on the cause, so that a positive course of the disease cannot always be guaranteed. The complaint may not be completely cured.

It is not uncommon for the limp to occur as a result of a psychological disorder, whereby treatment by a psychologist is necessary. Limping does not affect life expectancy. However, the limp itself can have a negative effect on the psyche of the person concerned and thus lead to depression and other psychological upsets.

When should you go to the doctor?

If the limp can be attributed to the formation of a blister on the foot, a visit to the doctor is usually not necessary. Normally, the bladder heals within a few days and the person affected can then move about without symptoms. A visit to the doctor is advisable as soon as further symptoms arise. If blisters do not heal or the affected areas become inflamed, consult a doctor. If self-treatment measures with ointments, cooling compresses or creams show no effect, help should be sought. If the limping causes discomfort to the muscles, nerves or tendons, a doctor is required.

Consult a doctor if you are unsteady about gait, have bad posture or are in pain. If the person concerned suffers from back problems, hip discomfort, heavy legs or discoloration of the skin, an examination should be initiated. Circulatory disorders, a reduced level of performance or numbness in the legs are considered unusual and should be clarified. A doctor should be consulted immediately to determine the causes. If it can be determined that the legs are of different lengths, a visit to a doctor is advisable. In children, limping is often caused by growth spurts. If the symptoms persist for several weeks, a doctor should be consulted to check.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

The treatments for that limp are versatile and extremely advanced. On the one hand, the therapies are limited to general and external applications. On the other hand, therapy methods that represent an internal and very specific treatment of hobbling are very effective.

Combined therapies are used in most cases where the limp is due to clear causes. In addition, surgical interventions can also provide freedom from symptoms, as can be achieved by limping through physiotherapeutic procedures.

If patients suffer from a shortened limb, which can be corrected by compensating for the difference between the lengths of the legs, orthopedic aids are an adequate option in addition to surgical interventions.

In order to cope with a limp based on mental disorders, psychotherapeutic treatments and the prescription of appropriate medications by a specialist in order to restore the mental balance.

Hip limp, a common form of hobbling, is treated by surgery on the trochanter.

Outlook & forecast

If the limp is triggered by poor or incorrect footwear, the symptoms can be alleviated at any time by changing footwear. These cases are not permanent changes in the skeletal system, but corrective measures that are necessary. It is advisable to consult an orthopedic surgeon so that you can be free of symptoms over the long term. For many of those affected, the size of the footwear is incorrect or the heels of the shoes are not optimally adapted to the needs of the body.

If the person affected has a bad posture of the hips, back or legs, therapeutic measures or an operation are often necessary to improve the symptoms. Despite all efforts, healing does not always occur. This is to be assessed individually and depends on various factors such as the duration or age of the patient. If the incorrect posture cannot be completely remedied, a lifelong impairment can be expected. If joints or other stabilizing bones of the skeletal system are exchanged, a good prognosis is possible with good rehabilitation and adherence to the treatment plan.

If the limp occurs after an accident or fall, bone damage is often present. With good medical care, the damaged area will usually heal completely within the coming weeks or months.

prevention

The prevention of that limp can be achieved independently to a certain extent by strengthening the muscle and ligament system of the lower extremities. Congenital or through accidents, as well as health impairments acquired in the course of life that lead to hobbling, no prevention can be provided. In order to prevent damage to bones or joints, improper loading should be avoided. This prevents the associated limping.

Aftercare

The extent to which follow-up care is necessary depends on the cause of the limp. In some cases it is even omitted entirely. This is the case if the problem is based on incorrect footwear. Choosing other footwear can help. If, on the other hand, there are physical deformities, for example on the hips or back, treatment is essential.

This does not always lead to the desired success, which can result in lifelong impairments. Follow-up care can then only take on an accompanying character. Physiotherapy is considered a suitable aftercare measure. In practice units, patients learn how to use their musculoskeletal system efficiently. Sometimes the limp also puts a strain on the psyche.

Talk therapy and medication can help. Follow-up care therefore only plays a subordinate role. Either the characteristic limp disappears or it remains in a specific form. In the latter case, the aim is to prevent complications and enable the patient to live as normal as possible.

In the case of severe misalignments, those affected can use aids such as rollators. You contact a doctor in the event of acute difficulties. An orthopedic surgeon is regularly called in to analyze the individual problem.

You can do that yourself

Limping can be traced back to a wide variety of triggers and can be both physical and emotional in nature. Mostly, however, a disorder of the musculoskeletal system or the nerves is responsible for the unsteady gait. For this reason, limping should always be presented to the doctor. Whether and which self-help measures the patient can take depends on the cause of the disorder.

If the limp is due to a congenital physical handicap that cannot be treated or cannot be treated completely, walking aids often facilitate everyday mobility. Occasional use of a wheelchair can also be helpful if the limp is very severe. In any case, those affected should ask their doctor, specialist medical retailer and their health insurance company which technical aids are available to make their everyday lives easier.

If the limp is the result of an accident or other injury, patients can usually contribute to the rehabilitation of the affected muscles and joints through physiotherapy exercises. In this way, long-term effects and permanent restriction of mobility are usually avoided.

Home remedies can also provide relief for simple disorders, such as a simple ankle sprain, blisters on the feet or swollen and painful ankles after an insect bite. For swelling, envelopes with acetic clay from the pharmacy help. Blisters on the heels heal faster if they are washed out with white wine, then creamed with zinc ointment and covered with a plaster.