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My son is wonky

172 replies

PlayingSolitaire · 29/09/2015 18:45

My 8 year old developed a limp at the beginning of term. It came on quite badly and he complained his thigh hurt, but the pain and the limp gradually got better over a week and half. However, he is still limping - it looks like his left leg is shorter than his right one or that he is wonky over to the left side and I have noticed his left foot is slightly turned inwards sometimes. His gait has never been the smoothest, but looks worse now (or am I paranoid and noticing it more now?)

I took him to the doctor after he had been limping for a couple of weeks and she manipulated his legs a bit but couldn't find anything wrong. She said to come back in a couple of weeks if he is still limping and he might have to have an x-Ray. She mentioned there was something that could affect short children (which my son is). The two weeks ar nearly up, so looks like I will be taking my son back to see the doctor again.

Anyone's child had a long term limp/ turned in foot? Anyone know what the doctor was talking about that affects short children and causes a limp?

I think it might still be hurting him, but he doesn't want to admit to it as he thinks that he's going to have to have his legs chopped off...

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 21/10/2015 17:50

Oh not good, take whatever support you need, hope you get the results sooner rather than later xx

ThisFenceIsComfy · 21/10/2015 18:42

Could it be a bone cyst or have they ruled that out? Hoping it all turns out as well as can be Flowers

Cocolepew · 21/10/2015 19:15

Sorry its not better news Flowers

ALemonyPea · 21/10/2015 19:17

So sorry for your news Flowers

TheAussieProject · 21/10/2015 19:17

Good morning PlayingSolitaire,
my coffee just turned bitter. Yes call your friend, because what you imagine may be a lot worse than the reality.
Lots of hugs from Sydney

GissASquizz · 21/10/2015 19:24

I'm sorry the results haven't put your mind at rest. Hopefully some clever bugger involved with your ds's case will have answers, and a plan, for you soon x

PlayingSolitaire · 21/10/2015 19:29

I am trying to remember what the doctor said. It was all a bit weird because he started off quizing us all and asking "why did you go to the doctor?" As if he thought we should have and had been wasting their time, but then followed this by showing us the X ray and MRI. DH thinks he said fluid around the bone rather than in it. Whatever it is on the X Ray looked quite small. The doctor gave 3 options: injury, infection or something more sinister. So they are still looking at the possibility it might not be terrible. The MRI and X Ray is being sent to specialist at the Royal Otheopeadic Hosptial in Stanmore to identify. Thank you all for your messages. Hopefully this will have a good outcome and can be a positive read for those going through a similar hell in the future.

OP posts:
PlayingSolitaire · 21/10/2015 19:31

Scared to talk to my friend because of what she might know. And not fair on her if it is something bad and she has to tell me.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 21/10/2015 19:32

Ok, so more waiting (bummer !) but could still be ok.

Did he suggest any treatment in the meantime ?

PlayingSolitaire · 21/10/2015 19:46

No, nothing suggested. No PE for the meantime, but running around at playtime is fine. He has no pain now, and only a very very slight limp. So it's getting better, which is a good sign and another good sign (from googling) is that it started very suddenly after a PE lesson. He also has no pain at night and no lumps and bumps.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 21/10/2015 19:55

Still got an appetite, no night sweats ?

PlayingSolitaire · 21/10/2015 20:04

Still got an appetite, same as usual.

Night sweats... Yes, he does. But he has had night sweats his whole life (at least the last 5 years anyway). His brother also has night sweats.

OP posts:
Hassled · 21/10/2015 20:12

I'm so sorry you didn't get the all-clear siren, but it sounds like there are many, many reasons to stay positive and hopeful. I know that's bloody easy for me to say and a lot harder to actually do, though - will be thinking of you.

TheAussieProject · 21/10/2015 20:25

At the next appointment consider turning the audio-recording on your phone on. It is so easy in the stressful situation to not be able to remember what is being said, or the preposition used, like in, on, around.

PlayingSolitaire · 21/10/2015 22:02

ThisFenceIsComfy- bone cyst sounds a very interesting explanation. I am having a google of that.. As far as I know, they haven't ruled it out. Thank you for your post and giving me a direction for hope.

OP posts:
winnybella · 21/10/2015 22:04

I'm not an expert but it seems to me that the fact he's feeling much better points rather to infection or injury. I get cancer check ups and one time I went with quite an awful back/ shoulder blade pain that had been going on for 3 months and felt like bone pain and my surgeon said that if it's not constant ( as in at night) then it's not cancer. Maybe not that relevant, but thought it might help you relax a bit that you're right to think it's an encouraging sign.
Hope you get answers quickly, it must be so scary Thanks

CookieDoughKid · 21/10/2015 22:08

Try not to think the worst. At the moment, no news is good news. And what with medical advances these days, alot of people really do pull through and survive!! I know it's so hard not to worry but you are fearing the unknown more. Be positive and you'll feel a teeny bit happier. Until the next test, make it your mission to have as much fun as possible as we ANYONE of us could be hit by a bus tomorrow!!!

Redberrypie · 22/10/2015 20:03

Just wanted to add that a tumour was found in a family members thigh bone, during a routine scan a few years ago. They prepared him for the worst and he had a biopsy, it ended up being non malignant. Just wanted to let you know that it doesn't always end in bad news.

I have my fingers crossed for you and your son.

DingbatsFur · 23/10/2015 07:34

Thinking of you!

Devilishpyjamas · 23/10/2015 07:40

It does sound positive (to my totally ignorant self) that it's getting better physically for him. The waiting must be hell - thinking of you.

bimandbam · 23/10/2015 07:42

Thinking of you and yours op.

Do you have nice things planned for half term? It would be good to take your mind off things for even a few minutes each day. Hopefully you can look back at this with a wry smile soon and think thank fuck it ended up being nothing very much at all.

TendonQueen · 23/10/2015 07:43

Just read thread. I agree that if he's improved then that seems like a good sign and there are still (relatively) ok options for what it could be. Thinking of you and your DS and wishing for the best possible outcome. Flowers

YouBastardSockBalls · 23/10/2015 08:01

Hope everything works out ok for you and your son OP, you must be so worried Flowers

PlayingSolitaire · 26/10/2015 20:42

Just to update. The specialists at the Royal Orthopeadic hospital in Stanmore didn't come up with anything (or didn't tell the consultant at our hospital if they did) they just asked for a CT scan to be done. This is being done tomorrow. We probably won't hear any results/ what they think until next week. I guess the blood test didn't show up anything nasty then.

I am still thinking it is possible it is some kind of stress fracture- a periosteal elevation on the X Ray and eadema in and round the bone in the MRI, plus the sudden onset after his PE lesson, getting better with rest and no other symptoms. Put it all into Dr Google which supports this. Clinging to this to get through the next week.

OP posts:
myotherusernameisbetter · 26/10/2015 20:55

A case where no news seems to be good news. :)