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AIBU?

To go back to the GP about my DS and say I'm not happy with his original verdict.

28 replies

Writerwannabe83 · 28/12/2015 22:28

When my DS was born (he's now 22 months) his hips weren't checked by the HV at the 6 week check but I assume they were with the GP 6 week check.

DS started walking when he'd just turned 1 year old.

When he was about 19 months old my CM passed comment that she thought DS was unsteady on his feet and seemed to fall over a lot. I was in agreement but I thought it was just normal toddler walking behaviours.

I rang my HV who can't to see him and she said he had uneven creases on the back of his legs and made me an appointment with a GP to get him looked at. The GP thought his hips looked ok but that DS's left foot turned in a little but nothing that justified any intervention.

However, 4 months later and I'm still concerned about DS's gait. When he walks he is fine but when he runs he looks very, very bizarre. He doesn't place one foot in front of the other and instead seems to waddle from side to side. It's really hard to explain but it's like he spreads his legs really wide and runs with them in that position. The placing of his feet on the floor is very exaggerated and it looks like he's stomping around but at absolute lightening speed!! He goes so, so fast.

Over the last week or so I've also noticed that when he's barefooted at home he will walk round on his tiptoes quite often.

I really, really don't want to be a paranoid and difficult mother but a part of my can't help feeling that something isn't right.

Surely if he's been walking for 10 months his running should appear fluid/normal?

AIBU (aka neurotic) or does it sound like there might be a problem?

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CRtester · 28/12/2015 22:31

I don't know enough about it I'm afraid, but one good piece of advice I've read on here is to video any behaviours that are concerning, so that you can show the gp, rather than just rely on trying to explain it.

I think I'd take the video and then make another appointment to hopefully put your mind at rest.

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QueryQuery · 28/12/2015 22:31

I don't know anything, but if you are concerned do see the GP again. Can you film him walking and running to show the GP?

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Helenluvsrob · 28/12/2015 22:36

Why don't you simply ring the GP and ask him if you could be referred for a hip scan as you are so concerned. Most would be happy to refer simply to allay your anxiety.

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stealtheatingtunnocks · 28/12/2015 22:37

Physio, not paeds - but, tip toe walking at nearly 2 is unusual. I'd expect kiddie to get his heel down in walking and running.

Agree, video and ask for referral.

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MigGril · 28/12/2015 22:38

I'd go back if your concered. My friends DD had xrays just for having uneven leg creases just to make sure.

I wouldn't worry too much about the toe walking at this age though it's quite normal. Some children will do this for a while it's only a problem if they carry on with it. The gait maybe needs looking at. Don't forget to keep him in soft unsupported shoes nothing to heavy on their feet at this age.

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Witchend · 28/12/2015 22:42

I think tip toe walking is only an issue if they can't put their foot flat normally. The arch should form normally when the foot is flat on the ground.

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abbsismyhero · 28/12/2015 22:54

my ds has just been referred for tip toe walking at two he only did it occasionally and they still wanted him looked at he was put through a series of tests like stretching up and bending down (they used toys etc to get him to do that) plus she gave his hips a good check over and his feet/legs etc the verdict with mine was he is fine but its always worth while getting him checked the doctor didn't see my son incidentally the health visitor referred straight to the podiatry (podiatry i think its the foot specialist people and im too tired to google)

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Onlyonce · 28/12/2015 23:10

I would definitely go back. I took DD for clicking hips and only on the third trip did a doctor take her nappy off and check the creases. Turns out she had a very mild issue and didnt need any intervention but it is evident in her walking. Please go back, for your own piece of mind and just to check.

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ElBandito · 28/12/2015 23:17

My DS tiptoed. There are various reasons for it but one suspected reason is hardwood floors, which we have. We made up a game where you had to walk on your heels. The idea was to stretch his tendons. Agree with the video/GP advice. It can be hard to duplicate in a small doctors surgery.

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maddening · 28/12/2015 23:18

Go to the gp and ask for a referral to a peadiatrician

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cestlavielife · 28/12/2015 23:22

Get referral to community physio gor assessment.

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Writerwannabe83 · 30/12/2015 21:38

I spoke to a Physio today who I work with and she said it does sound a bit strange. She said that although toddlers do wobble when they run she would expect them to be able to put one front in front of the other as opposed to running with a wide base (legs spread wide) like my DS does.

She has asked me to film him, both walking and running, and she will show it to the Paediatric Orthopaedic surgeon and see what he thinks.

I couldn't ask for a much weightier opinion really could I? Grin

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Youarentkiddingme · 30/12/2015 21:44

Trust your instincts. Plus the CM has commented so you know there is something to see.

My DS has overpronated feet and ended up with posterior tibial tendonitis because no one paid much attention to my concerns (he has ASD so I suspect they did have me classed as neurotic!)
He wears an insole now and has had stretched to stretch his tight Achilles' tendon. He also does OT excercises as his general core is weak, he has motor planning difficulties and so his arms don't swing when he walks - they kinda flap like he's a puppet Grin

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cestlavielife · 30/12/2015 21:56

You need to get him assessed by a physio hands on. Don't wait for your colleagues' S friend to see a video get a referral to community paed physio

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Writerwannabe83 · 30/12/2015 22:49

My physiotherapist colleague isn't friends with the orthopaedic surgeon, they are colleagues, we all work together at the same hospital (I'm a children's nurse).

I know the surgeon she is referring to (as we sometimes have patients of his on my ward) it's just that she seems him every day as she works with rehabilitating a lot of his paediatric patients.

I approached her at work today as we've been colleagues for over 5 years and was just after some advice really. I wasn't expecting her to offer to involve the surgeon but she said he'd be more than happy to look at footage and give his opinion.

She herself has a daughter, similar ages to my son, and she was demonstrating to me how her daughter runs (like a 'normal' two year old should) and it's certainly very different to how my son does.

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StillMedusa · 30/12/2015 23:03

Defo video him running, walking. Also can he get up from the floor unaided ok? Does he walk his hands up his legs from squat? Just asking as my DS2 did that and had a wide unsteady gait. We were referred to paed who specialises in muscular issues, ruled out anything serious, and then had physio, orthotics etc .. DS2 still wears splints to help as he has low muscle tone, feet that don't lift up and severe pronation, but he is very functional :)

( he also flaps along as another poster mentioned)

Good luck with getting him checked out.. it's always worth pushing as early attention is likely to bring early improvements!

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Mmmmcake123 · 30/12/2015 23:16

Can't believe I haven't thought to film in the past!!!!
Good luck with your little one, working in a Hosp does have advantages.
For anyone else, I would always say just go back to gp, it doesn't do any harm, even if you are slightly reassured/brushed off, when you go again there is a record of a long-term concern.

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Mmmmcake123 · 30/12/2015 23:18

BTW my sister's nephew tipitoed past the age of 3. His mom didn't take him to the health service but by I think the age of 5 or maybe 6 he walked just fine.

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peckforton · 30/12/2015 23:41

Are you a tall family? as my son had the walking on tiptoe problem for a few years after he started walking..
It turned out it was bones growing faster than ligaments however we had to push for treatment.
What worked was ultrasound.

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Youarentkiddingme · 30/12/2015 23:46

It's me with the flapping child medusa Grin my DS also has hypotonia and possibly dyspraxia (has traits/symptomology and waiting a full assessment) DS also eats with both hands doing he same and sticks his tongue out when using his hands/fingers etc. Like you say he's functional - just in a very unique way!

I think if you can get a colleagues opinion then it always helps you word it well to go for referral etc. I work with physios, salt and OT in my job and they are happy to suggest things.

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MyFriendGoo52 · 30/12/2015 23:46

A wide gait (( walking with theyre legs spread eagled )) can point to many issues.

Muscular dystrophy being one of them. Id definately push for further tests, more so as his chidminder has mentioned it.

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nooka · 31/12/2015 01:04

My ds walked on tiptoes for years, in fact he still has a tendency to do it now. It was a cause for concern when he was small, but now apparently really helps with his martial arts stances (he is 16). He had quite an odd stance when he was small, fast but definitely non-typical. Oh and a tendency to flap too.

He had quite a few assessments when he was 5 or 6 as school thought he might be autistic. The physio told me that he had poor core stability, but only after growth spurts, so interesting about tall families (he is tall and very slight, now over 6 ft).

Anyway at 16 he is totally fine. Very quirky but no longer in problematic ways (except for those who choose to engage in arguments with him!)

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nooka · 31/12/2015 01:05

Oh and yes I'd push for more assessments too, when your child is a bit different it's very helpful to understand why and what sorts of things can help.

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Writerwannabe83 · 31/12/2015 02:41

His gait/stance appears fine when he's walking, it's only when he's running.

My DH isn't particularly tall (6ft 1") and I'm pretty average at 5ft 5". DS is only on the 25th percentile for height but he's on that for weight too so is evenly proportioned.

In terms of motor skills my DS is very good. He can dribble with a football for a very long distance and has been doing this since he was about 15/16 months. He can take a long run up to a very small ball (as in ping pong size) and can accurately and forcefully kick it. He has an excellent strong underarm and over arm throw - he's fantastic at throwing Rubgy balls and he has excellent aim. He's been very good with his throwing since he was about 18 months. He is able to jump with both feet off the ground. He has only just started walking up and down the stairs with us holding one of his hands, he's pretty good coming down the stairs but when he's climbing them we have to support his weight quite a bit. It's only over the last 1-2 weeks that we've let him attempt the stairs though as usually we just carry him.

He crawled at about 8 months then walked just before his first birthday. He's never had any problems with squatting and getting himself back up again etc.

I'm hoping that everything is ok, it's horrible being a worried parent Sad

He has another health issue which means he's got to have an operation in the New Year, which again is due to missed/incorrect diagnosis of something he was born with. I don't be happy if something else has been overlooked.....

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Slutbucket · 31/12/2015 03:00

This sounds very similar to what happened to my friends little boy. He's been diagnosed with childhood arthritis so it is definitely worth following it up.

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