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Original poster

DD in pain, unable to walk, what do you have to actually do to get help?!

117 replies

StandardEEEK · 17/08/2015 21:14

Back story is that DD aged 10 has been having increasing hip pain, which became more frequent. GP suspected hip dysplasia but this was not shown in the x ray, so she has been referred to paediatric rheumatology.

Frequently it gets very painful and she takes pain killers now on a daily basis and often limps.

Finally the letter came through to 'call and book' her appointment with rheumatology. The earliest appointment I could book for her is in October!!! I have however called her GP who based on her being on daily pain killers has written to rheumatology to ask them to expedite her appointment so hopefully that will be brought forward.

This evening we went to the beach, she swam and that was fine, swimming usually helps, then she and a friend went to the park and she started limping so badly, she could hardly walk and was in v obvious pain, my friend had to drive her from park to my car as we were parked further away. In the car home she said she really just wants something to help. I was almost tempted to go to A&E but I don't really feel confident to, like they could just say to me 'don't be an idiot you have a referral' and send me home feeling like, well, and idiot, and with DD no better for it. Also I am single and have a teenage DS who I would have to consider before going to A&E. So have given painkillers and she has been on the sofa since we got home, she is comfortable for now but that is because she is sitting down.

Not even sure anyone would have anything to say, I think I perhaps needed just to type that to get my thoughts together, not that they are particularly together, the whole thing makes me feel sick and I can't really deal with it - anyone got any advice it would be appreciated, I want to contact the GP again tmrw but feel like I am a total nuisance to them at the moment :(

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 17/08/2015 23:18

or if you wanted to go private, make sure it is a chartered paediatric physio

listings here

3littlefrogs · 17/08/2015 23:21

DD had irritable hip demonstrated by MRI scan.
The most helpful thing the orthopaedic consultant suggested was trainers with air filled soles to eliminate the shock waves from walking.

That, and continuing with swimming, and occasional ibuprofen resulted in recovery after a few months.

This may not be irritable hip, but she should have a scan of her hip to make sure.

anothernumberone · 17/08/2015 23:21

Dd had septic arthritis of the knee many moons ago and I had a similar conflict as she was engaged with services but was between appointments. In the end I brought her to A and E between appointments. The consultant was very put out with my lack of obedience but dd had surgery that night as the surgical team felt it was an infection that would not respond to the antibiotics. Anyway I am rambling but I was always glad I took the lecture from the consultant and stuck to my guns visiting A and E. She was my child, my job was to advocate and I felt there was just cause to go to A and E. If you feel the same do it.

tunnockt3acake · 17/08/2015 23:27

Do you think it is a joint or soft tissue "that has clicked or moved out of position" that needs clicking back in to position ?

I agree sport physio may be a better option

A&E is for life threatening emergencies only

Something like swimming may mean that it goes back into its original position by itself

Is it hot the the touch on the outside or just sore inside the body ?

Squigglybear · 17/08/2015 23:34

A&E is for life and limb threatening problems. If she cannot weight bear this is a good enough reason to go to A&E at her age IMO.

Original poster
StandardEEEK · 17/08/2015 23:48

Thanks to those who have shared stories, it is v. helpful to know others have gone through similar.

Tunnock as previously mentioned I do not have the means to afford a private physio, it sports physio is what is required after her apt then that is what will happen. Meanwhile if DD is unable to weight bear again I think I will follow the advice of the others here at take her to A&E. I don't believe you have to be at death's door, in fact we have previously attended for dislocations, not life threatening but A&E attendance was necessary then!

There are no outward signs of injury, including heat, swelling, or anything!

OP posts:
DollyTwat · 17/08/2015 23:56

I had perthes as a child op
Sounds very similar - although it did show in x-Rays
I can remember my mum carrying me to a&e as our Dr said nothing was wrong yet I couldn't walk. Keep insisting is my motto with your child's health.

hellsbells99 · 18/08/2015 00:05

Hypermobility can get worse around puberty due to an increase in hormones.

Nibledbyducks · 18/08/2015 00:40

I'm hypermobile and have had hip pain from a young age. After years of limping I was finaly assessed for orthotics as it turned out that my left ankle had colapsed and my foot was pronating and pulling my pelvis out of alignment. It wasn't picked up until I was in my late 20's after going through physio during four pregnancies and numerous trips to specialists. Could it be something as simple as that?

Adarajames · 18/08/2015 01:51

My hip / leg / bck pain at that age turned out to be a result of uneven growth on each side, sorted with trips to osteopath eventually. Found acupuncture helpful for pain control, but again, it's that having to pay issue Sad

nocoolnamesleft · 18/08/2015 03:06

Probably well worth asking for your GP to do a NHS paeds physio referral in the meantime. Given that there are a lot more paeds physios than paeds rheumatologists probably get seen sooner, and good proportion of kids seen by paeds rheum seem to have referral to physio as a significant part of their treatment. (Especially if hypermobile).

textfan · 18/08/2015 04:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LavenderLeigh · 18/08/2015 05:54

Id counsel strongly against physio without a definitive diagnosis.
I had intensive NHs physio with an incorrect diagnosis that gave me additional damage that has lasted over 30 years

acupofteafortwoormore · 18/08/2015 09:35

How is she this morning? If she still can't wait bear go to A&E -

AnotherTimeMaybe · 18/08/2015 09:43

OP not sure if it's mentioned already but as you said you DD is quite muscular doing gymnastics etc, I though in case her muscles have gone into to spasm because of overworking them
When she sits down relaxed try to press down slightly on the muscles all over her legs and see if a particular point is worse. If that's the case she could have muscle knots which is easily fixable
Give it a go just make sure you do it gently

Good luck Flowers

Original poster
StandardEEEK · 18/08/2015 10:57

This morning she can weight bear but is still hobbling a LOT.

Anothertimemaybe I just tried this - absolutely no knots or tightness, her muscles felt quite relaxed and she didn;t find my pressing painful, she said the pain is 'in here' (pointing in to hip bones from the side).

About to call the GP and possible blither down phone as I don't really know what to say!

OP posts:
AnotherTimeMaybe · 18/08/2015 12:28

Call him and beg him!

Don't worry I'm sure it ll turn out fine!Flowers

Original poster
StandardEEEK · 18/08/2015 12:30

Got an appointment with my GP this afternoon, DD and I really do need some help, this is getting ridiculous :(

OP posts:
ShootTheMoon · 18/08/2015 14:06

Good luck today - I hope the GP is able to help quickly.

Original poster
StandardEEEK · 18/08/2015 17:04

Thanks, DD is having blood tests in the morning.

OP posts:
AnotherTimeMaybe · 18/08/2015 17:17

Ok that's good they listened then!
Good luck!!!

Original poster
StandardEEEK · 18/08/2015 22:43

Yes, am feeling completely and utterly sick about it actually.

DS this evening was loudly going on about 'why would she need blood tests, its her bones, what are they testing for'. Feeling rather scared at the possibilities.

OP posts:
textfan · 18/08/2015 23:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bamboostalks · 18/08/2015 23:20

I would be too but the strong likelihood is that all will be ok.
Thinking of you, this is the horrible part about being a parent.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 18/08/2015 23:41

Your poor DD. I don't have any medical advice but I wanted to ask if you have any private hospitals in your area that take NHS referrals. When my dad needed to see a consultant we found a local hospital that he was able to go to through the NHS and in a much shorter timeframe than the big NHS hospital that he'd have routinely been sent.
I found the hospital but his click and book didn't have it listed. We rang the hospital who contacted the GP's practice and then he was able to book it there.