First questions

Red flags

1) Age?

2) Is limping painful or not?

3) Is it worsening or getting improved? Did it relapse?

4) How long did the limping last?

1) Persistent limping > 7 days.

2) Repeated presentations.

3) Acute onset severe localized arthralgia.

4) Unable to bear weight.

5) Sepsis.

6) Obvious red/swollen joint.

7) No response to analgesics.

8) Significantly reduced ROM.

9) Constitutional symptoms (lethargy, significant weight loss, and reduced appetite).

10) Nocturnal symptoms (night sweats and night pain).

Trauma History

1) Any acute trauma?

2) Was there a delay between the trauma and the limping and pain?

3) Can the limb bear weight?

Infection evaluation

1) History of viral infections or fever and chill.

2) History of insect bite and travelling to rural areas.

3) Recent pharyngitis, rash, or diarrhea.

Quality of pain

1) Radiating or burning pain?

2) Morning stiffness?

3) Persistent or intermittent pain?

4) Association with activity?

5) Time of day of the worsening of the pain?

6) Response to analgesic or not?

Complementary questions

1) History of birth and development.

2) Past medical history and vaccination (bleeding disorder, medicine, …).

3) Family history.

4) Sexual activity.