Mystery limp?

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My 3 year old has developed a mystery limp. He didn't seem to have had a fall (although it appeared after we'd been at softplay / the park so he could've). We've been seen at the hospital a couple of times, x rays etc and no fractures. It seemed to be getting better, but then after he did his rugby tots class (10 days after the limp appeared) it started again. He can jump, scoot on his "good" leg well etc. And says it doesn't hurt, except for when he runs.

Anyone experienced anything like this? For context my DS is what I what call behind physically. Not hugely so, but he was on the late side to walk, run, jump etc and he still runs in what I would call a bit of a funny way. The physio flagged he had a weak core which I think is ongoing.

Hypermobility? Does he have flat feet? Do his ankles or other joints seem to bend on directions you wouldn't expect/further than you would expect?

My 3 boys all developed a limp around that age which was due to irritable hip, also known as transient synovitis. I think it's caused by a virus and is quite common in boys. DS1 and 2 had it for around 1 week but with DS3 it lasted about 3 weeks and he wouldn't weight bear for a bit.

corythatwas no I'm pretty certain he's not hypermobile. We saw a physio when he was 18 months and again when he was 2.5 and I asked if that was the reason for his delayed walking. In fact his ham strings are on the tight side.

PJ67 yes I think that's what the doctors assumed it was, but the x rays showed no fluid on the hip or anything to point in that direction. Did your DS' have it diagnosed as that? Or did they just assume that's what it was as there was no other cause?

My son had this twice around age 3.

Stayed in hospital whilst they did tests and they diagnosed irritable hip. Has he had a cold recently?

Worrywart21 he hasn't no, as I have heard of post viral limps. It's very odd. It seemed to get much better but then when he'd been running again at rugby tor's it seems to have aggravated it. Could just be muscular I guess?

Have you asked the doctor about Perthes disease?

My sister had it at around 6-7 years of age. I remember my mum was fobbed off by our GP, despite specifically asking about Perthes, until a family friend sorted out an appointment with a consultant at a large teaching hospital. It was treated swiftly and she had various physio exercises to do. Her symptoms were a limp, where her foot turned inwards and some discomfort in her hip joint.

It was a long time ago, but I think it was rare in girls but more common in boys (though still quite quite rare) and the age range was around 2-15. Might be worth asking about it and keep pestering until it's properly investigated.
Good luck and I hope you get it resolved.

Thank you hihohihobacktoschoolwego I'll make a note of that as we're due back at the hospital in 6 weeks. Will ask then.

I don't think anything shows up on the X-ray with irritable hip, the diagnosis is mostly based on the symptoms and excluding anything else. Also don't recall them having colds or anything around that time.