David Horvat
Zdravstveni dom Julija Polca Kamnik, Kamnik, Slovenija

Denis Baš
Zdravstveni dom Julija Polca Kamnik, Kamnik, Slovenija

Abstract

Joint pain is a common reason for a child’s visit to primary care. While most cases are benign and self-limiting, joint pain may be the first manifestation of serious underlying conditions such as trauma, septic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or malignancy. An effective clinical approach in primary care requires a thorough history, often relying heavily on heteroanamnesis, a detailed musculoskeletal examination, and careful differentiation between arthralgia and arthritis. Based on clinical findings, the paediatrician determines the need for laboratory and imaging studies and, when red flags are identified, ensures timely referral to a specialist. To highlight the challenges faced by paediatricians in primary care when managing joint complaints in children, an online survey was conducted. The results revealed that the main difficulties relate to limited access to basic diagnostic imaging and uncertainty in performing focused musculo-skeletal assessments. As potential solutions, respondents emphasised the need for accessible, parent-oriented educational materials, hands-on workshops for paediatricians, and improved access to specialist consultations.

Key words: arthralgia, joint diseases, musculoskeletal pain, primary health care