Four y/o not using right leg all of a sudden--Need input!!**UPDATE** on Pg 2

[hentob]

Hello all--Hopefully someone can shed some light--Beings that 6 hours, many nurses, an x-ray tech and two doctors could NOT!!!!!!

My four y/o son woke up today just fine. By noon, he was refusing to put ANY weight on his right leg. I could bend it, twist it, poke it, apply pressure anywhere on it (including hip, knee ankle, etc.) and it would NOT phase him. He was in no pain from the handling of his leg. But still, would not put his foot down on the ground. Just hop all over the place.

He has an expressive language delay, so asking him to tell me what was wrong was fruitless. He would just say "Up mom" (motioning for me to carry him). ARGGGHHH!!!!! Poor bugger!

Long story short--I called his doctor and he sent me to the ER for x-rays. Big mistake! Many sick flu-looking people in the waiting room. I stood in a freezing cold vestibule for 2 hours before he was even seen. I refused to wait w/the sick people--Last thing we need. Why didn't his doctor just write out a script for an x-ray???!?!?!?

Finally got to see numerous nurses, two doctors and an x-ray tech. X-rays are normal. Now they have to do bloodwork. Blah, blah blah. My DH joins me after work. My nerves are shot. Thank God for calm DH. I was ready to cry.

SIX hours later, they send us home w/ a paper that says "Motrin as needed--See your own doctor first thing in the morning"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ummmm--OK--Thanks.

Both ER doctors were stumped. They send a four y/o home in the same condition as SIX (oooohhhh I am mad!!!!!) hours beforehand. What is going on!?!?!

I am so mad at his pediatrician for not seeing him in the first place.

So, I guess I am looking for anyone that has a child (or knows a child) that all of a sudden stopped using one leg w/no apparent injury.

I tried Googling--But have nothing yet. I want to be prepared when I take him to the doctor tomorrow.

Thanks for letting me vent----

Hentob

 

[mrsv98]

My cousin did this when he was about 7 or so. Just started limping, saying he was in pain and wanting to be carried. My Aunt is a pediatric nurse so she did all sorts of tests at home, they saw the doc, nothing. After a couple of days, he was fine and it never happened again. I think my Aunt and Uncle decided it was more psychological than physical and it worked itself out. I would call the doc again, but if the x-rays are clear, maybe it is just something he is going thru. PD that he - and you! - feel better soon.

 

[disykat]

There was a little boy at my church that had something similar. He had problems for several weeks and then it disappeared. They never really identified it but I think it was considered a virus that attacted that part of his nervous system.

I hope your little one feels better soon!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You need to be seen at a good Childrens Hospital. A child in pain deserves a diganosis. It is horrible timing. I hope you find things out!

 

[Serena]

I'm sorry you went through all that. I wish I had some idea that would help. I hope he's better soon.

 

[Lars624]

for you!
I don't have experience with anything like this but I jsut wanted to offe rsuppport to you. I can only imagine how frustrating it was for you yesterday.
Good Luck & I hope that they will be able to help your DS very soon!

 

[KathyFP]

I don't have any idea, but wanted to send some

 

[Mermaid02]

When I was about 5 I had Legge Calve Perthes Disease in my left hip..... I limped for quite some time and they thought it was "attention seeking" but finally did an xray and at that point it showed up on the film.

I hope you get some good news!

 

[JetMom]

My 9 yr old had a similar problem except that his knee was visibly swollen. He wound up having lyme related arthritis. He had to have surgery to have his knee drained and spent 5 days in the hosspital on IV antibiotics while we waited the results of numerous blood tests.

 

[DisneyObsessed]

My daughter had something similar when she was 4 or 5. It turned out that the Lyme disease she had had a year before, flared up again. They put her on strong antibiotics for a few weeks. The strange this is, she is now 12, and is starting to complain that her joints are "locking up" sometimes.

 

[Cruisin]

Good luck, hope you get this thing figured out soon

 

[MerryPoppins]

This is not necessarily the answer, but it's a thought. If you know of a good chiropractor it might help. I never believed in them much until my mother started dating one. He has fixed things that are out of alignment several times for my family. Maybe it is something that simple?

 

[Ellester]

Two thoughts. When I was 8 my left knee just started to hurt. My mom eventually took me to the doctor (she thought I was faking it) and they immediately sent me to the hospital for blood work. At that point she was freaking out since they were saying things like leukemia, etc. It turned out my knees are a bit out of alignment, I've had many dislocations and three surgeries over the years (I'm 34 now). But, it was nothing life threatining.

It could also be "growing pains". He's a little young, but I had them quite a bit growing up. My legs would just plain old hurt. Is your family tall? I am 5'10" and the doctor said it isn't unusual for kids going through a growing spurt. Whatever it is, I hope it's nothing serious and that you find out for sure!

~Ellen

 

[betz]

Once when my daughter was about the same age she had Transient Synovitis in the hip joint. It was scary when she all of a sudden was unable to walk. She was better within a few days with Tylenol and rest. I am just relating an experience of mine and am in no way diagnosing your son's problem.

 

[peg2001]

I'm sorry that I don't have any experience with this to share with you. I would be a very anxious mom, too, in your situation. Keep the pressure on your pediatrician to find out what is wrong. Hopefully, it is something simple that a little rest and time will cure. Please keep us informed.

Peggy

 

[mtemm]

are there any other symptoms? a rash or anything? I'm so sorry and hope you have your answer soon!

 

[SeaSpray]

Several years ago my DS now 12 began limping. He'd limp especially if he was running or had been running around outside. Many people noticed this, including his 3rd grade gym teacher. (He's now in 7th grade). DS was seen by his own pediatrician, another, old pediatrician in the same practice, an orthopedic doctor, a PEDIATRIC orthopedic doctor, and has been to Children's Hospital in Boston twice for examinations and tests. At one point a diagnosis of fluid in his hip joint was made. At that time he was put on crutches, low dose of ibuprophen (Advil, Motrin), and was sent for physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles. This was 3 years ago and while all of those things did help for a period of time, he still limps sometimes and has pain. I hope you can get an accurate diagnosis for your DS.

 

[msdznyduck]

My DD when she was 6 (and 2 weeks from first Disney trip)
suddenly had pain in her "leg". At first I thought it just was the usual---running, maybe a slight muscle pull. She seemed okay, and did not get worse that night. Next day DH puts her on the school bus, still complaining a little of pain in her leg. By the time school was out that day, the nurse held her in her office, she was unable to get on the bus. I went to school and got her in car, and we went straight to pediatrician's office....no appt. I didn't care if I had to wait for an hour or more----someone was going to see her. We only waited about 1/2 hour and they squeezed her between 2 other kids. By now, she can't walk. Turns out, she also had a synovitis in her hip, which they explained was a type of virus/inflammation that settled in her hip. They also said that X-rays would probably not show anything. With some tylenol, and rest, and ice to her groin/hip area, she was well in a few days. By the time we went to the World, you would never know she had had a problem.
Of course, I am only relating my experience. I hope you get a diagnosis from your pediatrician soon.

 

[LvsTnk]

I have a son with special needs and twice he was misdiagnosed at 2 different ER's. First time he had a broken vertebrae and the second time his kneecap had moved over just enough to make him stop walking. I would suggest taking him to good orthopedic.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I would recommend a Chiropractor also. I get a lot of pain when my hip is misaligned. The pain goes to my knee and ankle. It does not hurt to be touched. It just hurts to walk on it. This can happen in everyday life. Kids running and jumping off of things. Or just walking around.