To side with the school over DS' stick?

[ReanimatedSGB]

(Also, any suggestions about dealing with growing pains are welcome).

DS gets growing pains in his legs. (Yes, they are a real thing. I took him to the GP last year and that was what they diagnosed.) When he's having a bout of pain, he likes to use a walking stick. The school does not think it's suitable and have suggested we get a proper 'walking aid' on prescription. They have also agreed I can send in a pack of paracetamol (which also helps him) with a note saying it can be kept in the school welfare office and he can have a paracetamol if he's in pain.
I don't actually know if a doctor or clinic will agree to giving him a crutch or whatever, and I think the stick is probably more of a psychological comfort, but I don't want to be the bitch mum who makes light of a kid's genuine pain, either.

Why do the school think a stick is not a 'proper' walking aid? Does it help him walk? By all means see if you can get something better but I wouldn't have though anyone at the school is properly qualified to assess walking aids. They might see if he is struggling to much or not actually using it for support, I suppose.

How old is he?

I wouldn’t be using anything like that unless medically there was a need to be honest!

The stick could be making things worse though, if he is using it and not walking properly then he could be doing more damage to his growing bones and ligaments. I would be asking for an occupational therapist appt or physio. I suffered with the same thing, it's very painful.

Truthfully never heard of growing pains that require any kind of aid but everyone's different..

Can see why school are querying walking stick tbh... Would be inclined to get crutch maybe.

Any walking aid if not expertly “fitted / sized” can cause more problems - maybe that’s why the school want you to go down that route

Did the GP tell you that he needs a walking stick? If not then he shouldn’t be using it. The use of a walking stick when not required will make things worse and your son could end up with life long problems. Speak to your GP and get their recommendation.

School are presumably concerned about it being used as a weapon. If I was you I'd do everything I could to see what else was available.
You can buy these www.amazon.co.uk/Folding-Crutch-Funkrutch-Colourful-Forearm/dp/B00G0LTJ2S/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1506509844&sr=8-6&keywords=crutch&tag=mumsnetforum-21
for less than £25 and there are much cheaper versions.
Bog standard NHS looking one for about £10.
Think they would be more appropriate.

How old is he? Has the stick been recommended by a medical professional?

My dc have all had growing pains at times but never a stick was used. I think they would have liked it though, one is rather desperate to get her hands on a pair of crutches
Honestly I would head back to the gp and tell them a stick is being used, they will probably refer to physio or ot. I'm not a king light of the pain btw I remember it well. Poor lad

I certainly wouldn't encourage a child to use a stick unless it was recommended by a doctor or other medical professional. I agree go back to your GP.

No, not medically prescribed. The reason we have a stick in the house is that I am a bit arthritic and, when we do something like a sponsored hike (which we do about once a year) I take it for getting up and down hills. When DS first started getting the pains I let him borrow it occasionally and it seemed to make him feel better.,
He is 13 (as of the weekend). The pains seem to come and go, presumable recurring every time he has a bit of a growth spurt. I'll take him back to the GP and ask for more advice.

Has he been taught how to use a stick properly?

If a child needed to use an aide like that they would also normally do a risk assessment, when there is no medical need for it I can see why School aren’t impressed!

Going back to the GP sounds a good call. Especially if it's been going on since last calendar year they will probably have another think to be sure there isn't anything else going on that wasn't obvious when he was last seen. Hopefully they will still be able to reassure you but even then some better strategies for your son to handle it might hope. Best wishes! (have a fast growing 12 yr old at present so understand how it can be)

OP in the nicest possible way, a walking stick is not appropriate unless a doctor has said it's needed.

He's 13 with growing pains.

Sounds like it could be Osgood Schlatters. My son and some of his friends have it. There's not much you can do but some stretches do help.

Oh and maybe you could get him an elastic bandage instead? Just as a placebo thing...which from what you've said, the stick is acting as.

Growing pains so bad you need a stick is unusual, I think I'd be headed back to the GP and asking for a paeds referral, just to be certain there's not something else going on. Consultant can then advise on whether stick is necessary or not. He may be doing more harm than good by using it.

DD1 (4) has had awful growing pains for nearly 3 years now so I do sympathise. She wakes in the night with them, it's very rarely in the day, it's very distressing for her (and us), but calpol does the trick.

Growing pains could also be hypermobility syndrome. In which case physio is the way forward, and if any aids are to be used he should be trained by physio in using them safely.

I think back to the GP, I like the idea of a tubigrip as a placebo rather than the crutch.

It's also very dangerous to have crutches or walking sticks etc in busy school corridors and on stairs.

I do feel for your son, growing pains can be very painful (I remember myself) but I think he should see a doctor again at some point to make sure it isn't anything else, and and take painkillers and rest rather than using a stick.

I don't wish to worry you, but Dr Google says growing pains isn't a day time thing, and it could be something else.

I had growing pains myself and whilst they're not nice I really don't think he needs a stick! Especially if you think it's more a "psychological comfort" as you said.

He should only be using it if it's been recommended by a doctor. It's not making light of his pain to not want to let him play up to it. Kids can be little martyrs if you let them - I know, I was one!

I agree that he needs a proper assessment as to whether what DS has are growing pains or something different such as hypermobility syndrome, Osgood Shlatters etc. He could make things worse with a stick and physio, occupational therapy sounds more useful and safe. DD and I have ehlers danlos hypermobility type and wouldn't attempt to treat problems with
Walking aids, bandages or other supports unless recommended and fitted by someone appropriate.

I think you need referred to a physio, I wonder if strengthening exercises and stretches might be the answer.