It is not uncommon in pediatric clinical practice to encounter children with musculoskeletal symptoms. A number of disparate conditions can present with joint complaints in children. In this article, the author describes the clinical approach to a child presenting with joint complaints. A detailed clinical history, including the family history, along with a complete physical examination can provide vital clues to the underlying condition in most cases. A structured screening examination of the musculoskeletal system that has been recently developed (i.e., pGALS) is also discussed. It is also pointed out that the pattern of joint involvement gives us one of the most important clues to the etiology of arthritis. The pediatrician has to be aware of the conditions that can have arthritis as one of the manifestations so as to investigate and treat the child accordingly.
Keywords: Education; Examination of musculoskeletal system; Joint pain in children; Juvenile idiopathic arthritis; pGALS.