My daughter runs with straight legs

[LaTrucha]

My litle girl is 4 and a half and, as the title says, runs with straight legs. Ive always known it but her reception teacher asked me the other to take her to the GP and get a paediatric referral. I took her and the GP could see nothing wrong and thought it was habitual but has referred us in case physiotherapy would helpher. This was very reasurring until today: sports day.

She is way behind her peer group. In a running race while the others were appraoching the finish she was hardly a third of the way down. She lost her races by a greater margin than any other last child.

Emotionally she was ok. She was upset after the first race but it turned out her shoes were too big. We sorted that out a bit and she became very happy, saying she hadwon etc She may have been over compensating but she did have a happy day.

I didn't she really is way behind and I a worried about her. Does anyone have any ideas or experience of something like this?

She was breeh but nothing showed on her hip scan. She started walking at 17 months. She didn't jump until well after three. She still cant hop.

Bump before bed time.

Does it hurt her to bend her legs?

How does she sit? Can she sit at carpet time at school with her legs crossed easily iyswim?

DD is exactly the same although her legs are too bendy but she is very behind everyone in running etc and her balance is zero.

Do you have any local children's centres that do drop in sessions for OT or physio assessments??? This can cut the waiting time down and not have you worrying unnecessarily.

That's interesting Simpson. I'll find out.

She's not in pain and the range of movement doesn't seem to be limited or unusual. DH thinks it is a lack of confidence and fear of falling that prevents her fro putting her all into it. After today, I'm not sure at all about that.

It's worth getting an appointment then I think.

DD saw a physio at our local children's centre which was only a 15 minute quick assessment and they don't really tell you much apart from that yes she did have definite problems and needed a more I depth assessment iyswim.

But it might be worth you doing this as they can tell you if she needs a bigger assessment or not.

Hopefully not of course!!!

Think she definately needs to see a physio for some advice/ exercises.

Do you take her swimming? Thinking that might help.

Just thought of a few more things!!!

DD's OT said that just because DD does not say her legs don't hurt or ache does not mean that they don't because they have always been like that and she thinks it's normal iyswim.

She recommended the game twister, lots of jumping with feet together and then apart (I have to hold her hands) also sticking a bit of paper on the wall and getting her to kneel but up on her knees and draw (very good for posture).

How is she riding a bike/trike??

Think about getting a pelvic X ray...this can show clearly whether there is any developmental problem with the hips...associated with breech as you mention, but often not apparent on newborn scans as it can develop gradually over the first 6-12 months though not too sure on the details.

If there's a symmetrical problem, there'll be no limp.

Talk to your GP+/- paediatric orthopaedic physio..available at most of the bigger hospitals.

I think its unlikely dont want to worry you but very simple to check for with a one-off X ray

Thanks both.

I didn't know that about breech babies, timetosmile. An orthopaedic surgeon lives next door. I'll ask hi if we've gotsoething like that.

Girliefriend - she does go swimming. Again she's behind her peers but I have put that down to not going for 18 months beause I didn't realise I could manage two children at the same time.

Simpson - she can ride a trike and aapparently a bike though I've never seen it. We have a killer hill at the end of our road so I'm always too scared of bikes. I'm wondering now if a bike ight help her. I'll try those activities.