My toddler had his leg amputated

[FHmama]

Happy to answer any questions, especially about the surgery etc

Definitely a thread I would have found comfort in when I was going through the worst time so hopefully it can help another mother

Not a question, however, one of my son's classmates has a prosthetic leg and the rest of the kids really don't care and don't bat an eyelash if he needs a chair rather than sit on the floor for example.

Though my son was absolutely convinced for ages it'll grow back as they would on a starfish .

Hope he has a speedy recovery.

OP I am so sorry to read of what you and he have had to go through. Posts like yours put the silly things I worry about into perspective.

I don't have any questions but just my very very heartfelt good wishes to you and your little boy. How tremendously brave of you to post about it so soon after surgery. I do hope he continues to be positive and to have such a positive attitude in his mummy. Speedy recovery to him

No question to add but what a great idea for a thread. Hopefully someone else going through the same thing will find it when they need it. Sounds like you are all doing great. You may already know but there is a charity for children with lower limb conditions called Steps. One of my children has a different disorder but I found them helpful for advice and they also organise meet ups so when your son is a bit older you can meet other families and children with similar issues and treatment. Good luck to you both! www.stepsworldwide.org/

Though my son was absolutely convinced for ages it'll grow back as they would on a starfish .

The surgery took 6 hours. However Ollie also had to have a tibial osteotomy (straighten the tibia bone out). I think usually a below the knee amputation takes half the time.

He is 19 months old, he doesn't understand. However he was very mobile before, he'd 'walk' on his knees, climb EVERYTHING. He's now unable to do this because of the big bulky cast he has on for the next 6 weeks and is very upset and frustrated all day, it is heartbreaking.

No psychological support as he is only a toddler atm but unsure about the future. He'll get his first prosthetic in a couple of months then we will go back every 2-3 for adjustments/new legs if needed.

Your tiktok account just showed up on my FYP. Ollie’s name and diagnosis on both made it obvious. If you don’t want to be identifiable on here (which given it has your full name on, might be sensible) best contact MNHQ

Bless you both

Hi - being identifiable on here doesn't bother me at all I can always name change if I needed to ask something personal but mostly use mumsnet to answer others threads. Thankyou though

Just a suggestion - when my friend’s toddler broke her leg, she was also really frustrated not being able to move so much. They had a hammock chair that had been in the garden and brought it inside, the kid could still swing around on that and really enjoyed it, seemed to give her a sense of moving? Also the kid used to lie on her bub brothers skateboard and use hands to push herself along. Just might help to keep him active!

That's a brilliant idea. He's getting the hang of kind of dragging himself across the floor using his 'good side' for strength. It's amazing to see! Kids really are just so resilient

Although his cast has fallen off a couple of times (we have a spica cast on now) he was so shocked looking at his little stump and kept saying 'gone gone' because he couldn't find his foot. It was sad but so sweet at the same time

My dc had bilateral talipes on both feet. Managed to walk around with a metal bar attached to his special boots. Dc are amazingly adaptable ime. And they forget so quickly. He had no memory of those 4 years after a couple of years.

No questions, just wanted to add I've also seen your TikTok and your little boy has such a lovely smile! It's great to see him doing so well and I'm wishing you both well.

I'm crying here at how humble and brave he and indeed you are.

I wish you both well. Your little boy is a diamond

I just wanted to update this thread incase anyone comes across it in the future for advice/optimism etc

Ollie ended up getting a severe infection after his amputation which developed into cellulitis. He was absolutely fine after a couple of weeks but this delayed his prosthetic measuring by a long time. Signs to look out for would be - temperature, irritability, pus leaking from the wounded area and stump being very hot to touch. Please take to A&E immediately.

However Ollie has just turned two. He is fully healed now, makes me give stump kisses every night before bed and tells everyone 'dinosaur eat it' about his missing limb 😁 we pick up his first prosthetic leg next Tuesday and couldn't be happier as a family. Very excited for the next chapter.

You both sound amazing! Good luck with the new leg. Xxx

What a brave little boy you have, you sound like such a wonderful mum too.

I hope everything goes as well as possible for you both, sending love x

Wow you have been through so much together .All good wishes for your little ones recovery .You sound an amazing Mum and he is one brave little bear!

tells everyone 'dinosaur eat it' about his missing limb 😁

That is so cute, I bet it gains him lots of kudos at nursery and shuts up nosey strangers. Hope the fitting goes well.

I can’t believe you are so young; I’m nearly 60 and I don’t think I would have coped as well as you when I had my kids in my 40s! what an amazing mummy Ollie has no wonder he is doing really well. Total admiration for you both and hope he continues to thrive.

What an amazing little boy he is and I hope he adjusts well to his new prosthetic. Is he excited?

Loving the dinosaur explanation!

Op you both sound so amazing, that brought tears to my eyes. Good luck with the prosthetic leg.

So lovely to read how he’s doing now. Glad he’s all healed well.

What a wonderful Mum you are, he’s lucky to have you. The dinosaur story is fantastic.

Best wishes for the prosthetic leg, I hope it all goes well for your little boy x

My friend lost his leg above the knee as a child due to a drink driver falling asleep at the wheel. Fifty years later, he cycles and swims regularly.
At secondary school the PE teacher used him to humiliate the rest of us as he was a powerful gymnast and swam like a fish.