Toddler suddenly limping, plus gross motor delay

[fionnthedog]

My DS is 2.9 and this morning woke up limping, sort of dragging one of his legs. He says his legs don't hurt and was happy in himself but with a very pronounced limp. As far as I'm aware he hasn't fallen and I can't see anything obviously wrong with his leg / knee / hip.

He is delayed with his gross motor skills. Walked at 17 months after bum shuffling from 11 months. He still can't jump or hop or walk up stairs without holding on (to a hand, rail or on all fours).

Obviously if the limp continues I'll go to the GPs but I'm worried sick it's something like muscular dystrophy. I do suffer a bit on and off with anxiety so any reassurance would be helpful...

Thanks all.

MD is inherited, any cases in the family?

No, no family history that I know of, but I thought it wasn't only inherited - could also be random gene mutation? Perhaps I'm wrong (am certainly no medical expert!)

MD does not present like this, love

See the GP. Sounds like transient synovitis.

That sounds similar to a problem my nephew has with his hips. So far they haven't isolated what causes it but they think it's an infection. Seemingly, it's not uncommon. I would have him seen, though.

If his limp is very pronounced, you need to seek medical advice promptly. Has he has a cold recently?

go to drs please op

my ds had a broken leg at this age - picked up by x ray

He lost his voice briefly last week and has had a bit of a cough, nothing very serious. But yes, I guess he has a cold.

I will try and get him seen tomorrow if the limp is still there.

He needs a hip and knee xray and possibly ultrasound of the joints.

I second anyfucker and think it's synovitis

www.nhs.uk/conditions/Irritable-hip/Pages/Introduction.aspx

My son didn't walk until 18 months and is still a bit wobbly so I understand the worrying about muscular dystrophy.

Might be worth a trip to the GP for peace of mind but I think it's very unlikely to be anything to worry about.

Between the age of 2 and 3 my son had 3 transient episodes of a limp. It usually lasted a day or 2 then disappeared. He occasionally complained it was sore. Medical colleagues of mine suggested I take him to GP but it always disappeared before I could get an appointment.

This has been SO helpful. Thank you. Will update in due course...

The limping and the motor delay are likely to be 2 separate issues

Could be irritable hip my son had it twice, has he had any viral infections recently

My friends 2 yr old son had this recently. Went for an X-ray and got all clear. It went way the next day. Apparently it's very common in boys so fingers crossed it's nothing to worry about.

Actually, what have his developmental checks been like ?

If he is a bit bendy/hypermobile/low tone then he may just be at the slow end of normal milestones

Someone has to be at the lower percentiles so they can exist at all

At his last check (27 months?) they commented that he wasn't jumping and that if he still wasn't by 3 the to go see a HV again - which I will do. He is bendy / hypermobile (as I am) and often sits in the W position (as I used to), though I do try and discourage this as I think it's not helpful?

Without the limp I am fairly sure he's just slow / delayed gross motor but the limp has freaked me out today especially as no obvious cause. But I'd never heard of irritable hip either!

It'll be OK. See the GP or walk in centre to put your mind at rest.

Irritable hip/transient synovitis is the most likely explanation. If the limp persists they may want to rule out
septic arthritis (much less likely). The first requires no treatment, the second requires IV antibiotics

Sounds like irritable hip (transient synovitis). All 3 of my ds's have had it and most common in children around age 2. It's caused by a virus and usually clears up within a week although my youngest had it for a couple of weeks. Best to get him checked but think this is most likely cause.

I was going to suggest transient synovitis too. Our local hospital has a weekly "limping child" as it is so common.

Stressful for you, but chances are it's nothing to worry about.

I'd see your GP - could be anything. My worry would be something neurological. Only a dr could diagnose.

Irritable hip can follow a viral illness.

My ds3 ended up with reactive arthritis after a virus which did eventually clear up after a couple of weeks. Hope you've been seen op and it's nothing to worry about.

Just to update, haven't managed to get a GP appointment yet 😞 But it is also a lot less pronounced than it was, and now not all the time. Have been trying (and mostly failing) to get him to rest; still seems fine in himself.

Thanks for updating. Glad he seems to be getting better. Hope you can get an app soon.