Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsTreatmentDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Many different health conditions can cause limping (antalgic gait) when you walk. This can include acute injuries as well as gradually progressing medical concerns. Paying closer attention to when the limping occurs and any symptoms that accompany it can help you determine its origins.
This article will detail the most common causes of and treatments for limping.
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Causes of Limping
Limping is associated with many diagnoses, though some are more common than others. Some of the most frequent causes of antalgic gait include:
Osteoarthritis (OA) occurs when the smooth, slippery coating (called articular cartilage) that lines the endings of bones begins to thin and deteriorate. This can alter the normal movement of a joint and lead to pain.
When the hip, knee, ankle, or foot joints are affected, it can make walking painful and lead to a limp.OA symptomstypically come on gradually, affect individuals over the age of 50, and are worst after periods of being sedentary.
Sprains, strains, and soft-tissue injuries can occur either due to an acute injury or chronic, repetitive activities over time. Sprains affectthe body’s ligaments, while strains impact muscle tendons.
In either case, sprains and strains occur when the impacted structure is overstretched or partially torn. This damage can lead to pain and antalgic gait when it occurs in the leg. An injury to several other soft-tissue structures, including abursa(a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction),meniscus, or fat pad, can also lead to limping.
Lumbar radiculopathy is a condition in which the nerve roots that branch off from the lower (lumbar) portion of the spine become compressed or inflamed. This can occur because of a disc issue (bulging,degeneration, orherniation),bone spurring, or (rarely) due to a growth or tumor in the area.
Corresponding Symptoms of Limping
Limping while you walk may be your primary concern, but it is rarely the only complaint. On the contrary, several other associated symptoms may also be present, depending on the cause of your issue. These include:
Osteoarthritistypically results in pain, stiffness, clicking, and occasionally swelling in the affected joint. These symptoms are usually worst first thing in the morning and at the end of a long day of activity. Moving around and “warming up” the joint tends to make OA symptoms feel better.
Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries typically cause swelling, pain, and range of motion limitations. More severe injuries can also make the leg feel unstable and cause it to give way as you walk. Occasionally, bruising may also occur in the area of the injury.
Lumbar radiculopathy commonly leads to shooting pain and paresthesia in the leg. Depending on which nerve is involved, you may also experience muscular weakness in certain areas of the lower extremity. Occasionally, the affected leg also feels like it is going to buckle while you are standing or walking.
Concerning Symptoms
How to Treat Limping
Physical therapy can also be helpful for building strength in the muscles that support the arthritic joint and alleviating your symptoms. In more advanced cases,a corticosteroid injectionor joint replacement surgery may prove necessary.
Depending on the severity of the issue, your healthcare provider may also recommend over-the-counter pain medications, bracing for stability, orphysical therapyto restore your range of motion and strengthen the affected area. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to restore your joint’s stability and improve your walking.
Limping from lumbar radiculopathy is initially treated with NSAIDs andmuscle relaxants. Your healthcare provider may also counsel you on maintaining a healthy body weight, which can reduce the strain on the affected area of your spine. Physical therapy is also frequently initiated to build strength in your core and alleviate your walking symptoms.
If conservative interventions fail to improve your antalgic gait pattern,a spinal injectionor evensurgerycan reduce the pressure on the nerve root.
Are There Tests That Diagnose the Cause of Limping?
Your healthcare provider may order several different diagnostic tests to determine the cause of your limp. These include:
The presence of any of these associated symptoms may indicate a more serious condition that should receive immediate attention.
Upper, Lower, and Middle Back Pain Red Flags
Summary
Limping (antalgic gait) is usually a sign of a larger issue within the leg or low back. The most common causes include osteoarthritis in one of the leg’s joints, lumbar radiculopathy, or an injury to a ligament or tendon.
A thorough medical exam and diagnostic tests like an X-ray, MRI, or EMG can typically determine the origins of your limp. Activity modifications, over-the-counter pain relievers, physical therapy, and (in rare cases) surgery are all useful when treating an antalgic gait.
Though ignoring your limp and pushing through it can be tempting, it is important to discuss your condition with a trusted healthcare provider. Taking this step can help you discover the cause of the problem and help improve the quality of your walking.
It can also lead to leg weakness, pain when you sit, and antalgic walking when you first get up out of a chair.
Learn MoreWhat Is Sciatica?
Osteoarthritis frequently affects the joints of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot and can alter the normal movement of these structures. This condition can also cause pain, stiffness, popping, and limping while you walk.The symptoms of OA, including limping, are usually conservatively managed with NSAIDs, regular exercise, and physical therapy.Learn MoreOsteoarthritis Treatment
Osteoarthritis frequently affects the joints of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot and can alter the normal movement of these structures. This condition can also cause pain, stiffness, popping, and limping while you walk.The symptoms of OA, including limping, are usually conservatively managed with NSAIDs, regular exercise, and physical therapy.
Osteoarthritis frequently affects the joints of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot and can alter the normal movement of these structures. This condition can also cause pain, stiffness, popping, and limping while you walk.
The symptoms of OA, including limping, are usually conservatively managed with NSAIDs, regular exercise, and physical therapy.
Learn MoreOsteoarthritis Treatment
In some situations, a cane (or other assistive devices) can reduce the pressures that travel through an affected joint and improve your overall walking quality.For example, one study found that using a cane for two months reduced pain and improved function in people with knee osteoarthritis.A cane is not necessary for everyone who limps and is only one of many treatment options that are available for antalgic gait.Learn MoreWalking With a Cane
In some situations, a cane (or other assistive devices) can reduce the pressures that travel through an affected joint and improve your overall walking quality.For example, one study found that using a cane for two months reduced pain and improved function in people with knee osteoarthritis.A cane is not necessary for everyone who limps and is only one of many treatment options that are available for antalgic gait.
In some situations, a cane (or other assistive devices) can reduce the pressures that travel through an affected joint and improve your overall walking quality.
For example, one study found that using a cane for two months reduced pain and improved function in people with knee osteoarthritis.A cane is not necessary for everyone who limps and is only one of many treatment options that are available for antalgic gait.
Learn MoreWalking With a Cane
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pirker W, Katzenschlager R.Gait disorders in adults and the elderly: a clinical guide.Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2017;129(3-4):81-95. doi:10.1007/s00508-016-1096-4Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sprains, strains, and other soft-tissue injuries.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Radiculopathy.Yokogawa N, Toribatake Y, Murakami H, et al.Differences in gait characteristics of patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (L4 radiculopathy)and those with osteoarthritis of the hip.PLoS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0124745. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0124745Fang MA, Heiney C, Yentes JM, et al.Effects of contralateral versus ipsilateral cane use on gait in people with knee osteoarthritis.PM&R. 2015;7(4):400-406. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2014.09.018
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pirker W, Katzenschlager R.Gait disorders in adults and the elderly: a clinical guide.Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2017;129(3-4):81-95. doi:10.1007/s00508-016-1096-4Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sprains, strains, and other soft-tissue injuries.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Radiculopathy.Yokogawa N, Toribatake Y, Murakami H, et al.Differences in gait characteristics of patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (L4 radiculopathy)and those with osteoarthritis of the hip.PLoS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0124745. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0124745Fang MA, Heiney C, Yentes JM, et al.Effects of contralateral versus ipsilateral cane use on gait in people with knee osteoarthritis.PM&R. 2015;7(4):400-406. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2014.09.018
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pirker W, Katzenschlager R.Gait disorders in adults and the elderly: a clinical guide.Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2017;129(3-4):81-95. doi:10.1007/s00508-016-1096-4Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sprains, strains, and other soft-tissue injuries.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Radiculopathy.Yokogawa N, Toribatake Y, Murakami H, et al.Differences in gait characteristics of patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (L4 radiculopathy)and those with osteoarthritis of the hip.PLoS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0124745. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0124745Fang MA, Heiney C, Yentes JM, et al.Effects of contralateral versus ipsilateral cane use on gait in people with knee osteoarthritis.PM&R. 2015;7(4):400-406. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2014.09.018
Pirker W, Katzenschlager R.Gait disorders in adults and the elderly: a clinical guide.Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2017;129(3-4):81-95. doi:10.1007/s00508-016-1096-4
Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sprains, strains, and other soft-tissue injuries.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Radiculopathy.
Yokogawa N, Toribatake Y, Murakami H, et al.Differences in gait characteristics of patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (L4 radiculopathy)and those with osteoarthritis of the hip.PLoS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0124745. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0124745
Fang MA, Heiney C, Yentes JM, et al.Effects of contralateral versus ipsilateral cane use on gait in people with knee osteoarthritis.PM&R. 2015;7(4):400-406. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2014.09.018
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