Teen back and hip pain- wait or take to a&e?

[daisytrains]

Teen DS (13) has had pain in his lower back and possibly hip since yesterday. He kicked a ball and when his leg went out straight something "went" in his lower back/hip, he then fell over on his back and this seems to have made it worse. He has pain in his lower back and down one leg so I'm not sure if it's an issue with his back or hip. There is no bruising or mark on his back. He was worse this morning but is now up walking but can only weight bear on his toes on the affected side. I've had to keep him off school. He's not in agony or distressed, just painful when he's on the move and the pain is down his lower back and one leg.
I always have this dilemma in situations like this- should I leave it and it will probably be fine? If I leave it, am I potentially ignoring something serious by not getting it checked out? The paediatric a&e near us is very good (we have only been once before) but at the same time it's not a place we would want to visit unless necessary. Any thoughts?

I'd take him. Good luck.

I’d take him to a walk in centre rather than a&e - call NHS Direct and they should be able to expedite appointment at walk in / urgent care

I’d take him, you’ve given it overnight to settle. He can’t weightbear, that’s an indicator for going in!

Thank you. He can weight bear slightly on the affected side but up on his toes if that makes sense. Our local walk in says it won't see kids if there is back pain so it would be the a&e. The one time we went was during the summer in the early morning and it was very quiet and staff were great but I suspect coming into winter it will be full of babies and toddlers with bad chests so could be a different story.

Just bumping to ask if anyone has had similar with a teen? Was there any value in getting it seen or did it resolve over time? Thank you.

Nobody is going to be able to diagnose over the internet. He could have pulled a muscle, he could have slipped a disc in his spine and be squeezing a nerve from what you’ve described. But equally he could have cracked a vertebrae. Without a medical check there’s no way of knowing. Only you and him can know how bad it seems. Sorry

You can ring 111 who will assess and advise

Take him in. Better that it is checked.

I think you'd better just go along and get him seen.

Do you have a walk-in or minor injuries unit nearby. Or does your GP have a physio who can see patients? This is what DH did when he did his knee in.

Sorry yes I know nobody can really advise via the internet.

Better to be seen than not.

I would definitely take him, OP. Better to get it checked than keep wondering. DS1 went over on his foot while hurrying to catch up with me - it looked like both much, but he said something didn't feel right and he was in pain. It turned out he had an avulsion fracture in his foot and had to wear a support boot for a few weeks. Sometimes you can have an injury which needs medical attention from the most innocuous incident.

I hope he's ok

sorry, looked like not* much!

Grrr, bold in wrong place - you get my drift🙄😊

Sounds like sciatica to me- it's very painful and affects your very lower back, hip and leg 😓

Is there anything they could do for sciatica? I may take him after lunch or might wait and see how he is tomorrow.

Have you given him pain relief? Ibuprofen would help a bit if he's pulled something.

Yes paracetamol plus ibuprofen gel. I will give oral ibuprofen after lunch. He’s lying with ice on it right now.

My sciatica got better after six weeks. I did see a physio who gave me exercises to do and some k tape I think it was called

I wouldn't leave it till tomorrow, it may be a pulled muscle or sciatica but you won't know without him being examined and possibly an xray. Hope he feels better soon.