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Original poster

Leg pain and blood tests????

24 replies

Bonkerz · 26/01/2012 15:26

I wonder if anyone can help as I'm confused!!!

DD has had pain in her left leg for about a week. About three as ago I noticed a slight limp and yesterday her teacher said she had struggled to walk most of the day. We put an ice pack on her knee as it looked a little swollen and she went to bed fine. This morning her leg looked out of shape and her limp was a lot worse so I took her to A&E. They did a pelvis x ray which came back clear and tested her urine all clear. They mentioned fluid on her hip and possible infection but then basically sent her for a blood test and sent we home. We have to go back Monday to see a paediatric ortho. DD is 6 and can't wait bear on her left leg at all. I'm confused as to what is wrong and docs at A&E just said there is something but they don't know. Am so confused

OP posts:
veryworriedme · 26/01/2012 16:30

My toddler had similar a few months ago. At first they just did ultrasound on his hip but I then insisted they did on his knee and they found fluid. They the. Drained that fluid and it was green which was not good so they thought it may be septic arthritis. Following it being drained he made a complete recovery in 2 days! They were baffled. There is something called I think transient arthritis, transient something anyway which is the most common cause. It is very scary so good that you are seeing an ortho altho be more reassuring if straight away.

Original poster
Bonkerz · 26/01/2012 16:49

See to me it looks more like a problem with her knee but consultant insisted it was pelvis as DD gets pain in thigh above.

OP posts:
veryworriedme · 26/01/2012 16:56

My toddler couldn't talk at the time so just had to watch him closely. They said most problems come from the hip but if the knee is swollen then perhaps you should insist. Also your dd may find it difficult to work out where the pain starts if it is a throbbing sort of pain. The blood test will show if there is an infection anyway so maybe then they will ultrasound the knee....

dilbertina · 26/01/2012 17:11

Can't really help but we have similiar going on....dd is 8 and complained of hip pain on new years day - this came and went in 3 day cycles so after a couple of these we went to A&E. She had x-rays and blood tests. Blood tests clear but xray suggested some fluid. They diagnosed "irritable hip" and told her to rest as much as poss, and prescribed some codeine. A week later we returned as instructed as still not better and they told her to stay off school and bed-rest as much as possible. Her hip is now absolutely fine.....unfortunately she is now suffering with pain and stiffness in her ankle...

So we are back to the hospital tomorrow to meet with the paediatrician...If it makes you feel any better we are currently living in France, and I don't speak french all that well so am probably more confused than you! One thing the French docs said was to keep a close eye on temperature as a raised temp. could point to certain conditions and would merit a return trip to A&E.

Good luck - Hope we both have more of a clue soon! One thing that helped my dd was long hot soaks in a bubble bath - and it kept her reasonably still for a bit too!

Original poster
Bonkerz · 26/01/2012 20:00

The more I think about this the more angry I am. I shouldn't have walked away with dd without some answers. She is currently in bed and keeps saying she is scared. Her leg is still pointing in the wrong direction and she has fallen over twice since leaving the hospital. Should I take her back tomorrow if it's still bad or maybe ring A&E?

OP posts:
pilates · 26/01/2012 20:20

Yes I would take her back tomorrow.

You know your child and I think you sense something's not right.

Original poster
Bonkerz · 26/01/2012 20:24

How can it be right to send a 6 year old home with a leg that's in the wrong position and who is in discomfort and cannot get about safely. Question is do I go to same place or to another hospital??

OP posts:
dilbertina · 26/01/2012 20:27

Go back to A&E in the morning. And don't beat yourself up. You've done everything right. They have done blood tests etc to rule out some stuff. Of course you (and I!) want immediate answers but it's not always possible, and that's not because the doctors are being crap, sometimes it's not possible to get immediate answers. Don't blame yourself or the doctors, but I would go back to A&E tomorrow given that she is no better and maybe worse.

It is so hard when they are ill and you can't put it right or get anyone else to... ((hugs))

Original poster
Bonkerz · 26/01/2012 23:26

Been back. Told its just soft tissue and to give calpol and go back Saturday if no better

OP posts:
veryworriedme · 27/01/2012 14:42

Sounds a bit odd . Did they do an ultrasound?

Original poster
Bonkerz · 27/01/2012 15:47

Nope. Rang the hospital for advice last night was told to pack an overnight bag and get there quick. Sent 2 DSs to sisters. Got to hospital and an ortho came and spoke to me Said that there had been a problem with communication earlier and that DD has a soft tissue injury and I go home give calpol and if no better go back Sunday. Was so angry I just took DD and we left

OP posts:
dilbertina · 27/01/2012 17:52

Hmmm... is she still just as bad?

Original poster
Bonkerz · 27/01/2012 19:32

Calpol and Ibruprofen have kicked in today so she is weight bearing but its still at a 40 degree angle from knee down.

OP posts:
pilates · 28/01/2012 10:45

Bonkerz how is your DD today?

Original poster
Bonkerz · 28/01/2012 17:38

Leg still at funny angle but limp is better and she says no pain today.

OP posts:
pilates · 28/01/2012 17:50

Ok, are you going to take her back?

Original poster
Bonkerz · 28/01/2012 21:04

Have an appointment Monday at 1:30 with an orthopaedic paediatrician.

OP posts:
pilates · 29/01/2012 11:05

Good luck for Monday.

veryworriedme · 30/01/2012 10:10

Just checking in to see how your dd was. Do let us know how appointment goes.

Original poster
Bonkerz · 30/01/2012 17:53

Thanks so much for all the advice and concern Took dd to hospital today. We hip is fine but she has a very short Achilles Basically her foot will only bend to 90• and she has flat feet. This is why she toe walks and doc reckons she strained her Achilles which caused the issue with her thigh. Her left foot is worse than her right. She has been referred on to another hospital and it looks like she will be put in cast and that will be adjusted periodically to stretch her Achilles and if that fails she will need a small operation. So whilst a scary prospect it's all positive news and we now know what's wrong and can get her sorted.

OP posts:
pilates · 30/01/2012 17:59

Glad you have found out what's wrong.

Have they given you any exercises to do in the meantime to stretch the achilles?

Original poster
Bonkerz · 30/01/2012 18:06

No he said he doesn't want to risk further injury which is why he has referred straight to another specialist hospital.

OP posts:
veryworriedme · 31/01/2012 10:07

I am glad you have finally got a sensible sounding answer and that she will be seen by specialists. It sounds like it will be a bit of a frustrating experience for dd but so much better than other things it could have been IYKWIM. Good luck.

EmEmSmart88 · 10/06/2018 11:14

Good Morning all,

After some advice my son last year had pain in his right hip was unable to walk took him to A&e was kept in for 2 nights was give X-rays blood test utra scan all came back clear was sent home and told to give him calpol etc after few days got better no problem. Appointment was made at hospital only for them to cancel and said no longer needed. The Same thing has happened last week woke up with pain again in right hip unable to bare weight screaming in pain again took him back to doctors was send up to A&e admitted again given blood tests and 3 X-rays all clear was told possible growing pains and one of them things send home was told a follow up appointment will be send out to us. This was 3 days ago sons still in pain still unable to put weight on leg screams if you touch his hip seems happy in himself glad to be home. Has anyone else had similar problem the hopspital rules out septic hip, artheritus, TS im
Just lost what to do for the best are they going to cancel appointment again is this going to keep happening I mentioned a MRI was told not needed.

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