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Children's health

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Original poster

11 year old back pain

18 replies

Dontstepinthecowpat · 05/08/2019 11:22

I’m taking my DS to the GP today, he has been complaining of a sore back for 10 days, it’s much worse over the weekend and today. I’ve been giving him ibuprofen. It’s to the middle of his spine slightly to the left. He says it really hurts to strain, ie when pooing.

I’ve had him at the drs a few times in the past few months with hip pain, unexplainable limping but they have been dismissive and suggested growing pains.

Just wondered if anyone had experienced similar?

OP posts:

CatInADoghouse · 05/08/2019 11:34

Can he stand up straight? Scheuermann's disease is common in growing children but usually seen in around 12-15 year olds.

icecreamsundae32 · 05/08/2019 12:33

Does he do any contact sport eg rugby? Or even boxing and trampolining - landed awkwardly or moved suddenly and jarred it?

Could it be in the kidney area? My 8yo recently complained of lower back pain, he had a temperature and it turned out to be a nasty kidney infection. Keep making sure your son drinks enough and is peeing normally. They'll prob ask for a urine sample at drs.

It's unlikely to be growing pains in his back and going on for this long so don't be fobbed off. Let us know what they say!

icecreamsundae32 · 05/08/2019 12:33

Does he do any contact sport eg rugby? Or even boxing and trampolining - landed awkwardly or moved suddenly and jarred it?

It's unlikely to be growing pains in his back and going on for this long so don't be fobbed off. Let us know what they say!

icecreamsundae32 · 05/08/2019 12:33

Does he do any contact sport eg rugby? Or even boxing and trampolining - landed awkwardly or moved suddenly and jarred it?

It's unlikely to be growing pains in his back and going on for this long so don't be fobbed off. Let us know what they say!

MindfulMummy · 05/08/2019 12:55

Take him to an osteopath to get him checked.... Drs aren't trained in muscular- skeletal issues. If you can, get a recommendation for an osteopath from a friend: a good one will make the world of difference to him.

JollyGiraffe · 05/08/2019 14:01

Please don't take him to an osteopath. It doesnt sound musculoskeletal.

Push for them to look into it further. I would be worrying about something pressing on nerves. Hopefully unlikely but he needs some sort of scan to check if there's anything there that is causing the pain.

Hope it's nothing sinister. If the GP dismisses it again please take him to A and E. He needs to be seen.

(I'm a HCP working in paediatrics)

Original poster

Dontstepinthecowpat · 05/08/2019 14:09

Thanks for the responses.

I had actually booked the private physio assessment a few weeks ago before he even complained about his back as I was so concerned about the way he was walking.

No contact sport he’s much more bookish not even often caught running around unless it’s a game of quidditch! He’s so slim and boney looking I thought that he was just gangly limbed but even his teacher noted a decrease in his limited sporting ability before they broke up for summer.

I’ll update once we have seen GP. Thanks again!

OP posts:

Original poster

Dontstepinthecowpat · 05/08/2019 14:11

Jollygiraffe I must admit I was doubting musculoskeletal as I would have expected that to be improving with NSAID and rest not getting worse. He seems well enough and it’s not keeping him up so hopefully something easily sorted as long as we can get a thorough check up and diagnosis.

OP posts:

chloesmumtoo · 05/08/2019 14:36

Sounds different to my dd but she suffered constant back discomfort especially after sporty days and or long days on school trips ect. Even sitting for long periods. It did dramatically affected her sporting abilities at the time. We were given a physio via gp who found evidence of scoliosis. Pressed gp for scoliosis specialist referral, who have monitored the curve. On the second visit, another year on, they also believe one leg is shorter and have given an orthotic for her shoe. Spine is curved and shoulders mis aligned but the orthotic insert helps level pelvis and should help against wear and make things more comfortable for her.

Original poster

Dontstepinthecowpat · 05/08/2019 19:40

We saw GP late this afternoon. He was really tender on his thoracic spine and she did a really thorough neuro exam. She thinks referral for X-ray or orthopaedic but wants to speak to one of the senior GPS first and will call me tomorrow with decision.

OP posts:

JollyGiraffe · 05/08/2019 21:24

Glad she's getting it looked into

Do keep us updated!

Original poster

Dontstepinthecowpat · 07/08/2019 10:17

Just a little update, the senior GP disagreed and has advised watch and wait for 2 weeks continuing pain relief. He is happy in himself and moving well. I did ask to see someone so the GP who saw him yesterday said he couldn’t possibly be in that much pain from such a light touch (I don’t think he was in that much pain, he was flinching at her touch as he had never met her before and she was being very dismissive. He was probably picking up on my annoyed vibes. She has agreed to refer routinely to orthodo.

There are a few other things but I will put them all together when I’ve got a bit of headspace and a laptop rather than typing on phone.

OP posts:

orangeshoebox · 07/08/2019 10:24

I would try to see a physio.
they have knowledge on anything to do with muscles and bones. after an assessment they can point you in the right direction what to ask for at the gp.
a private consultation should be around 60-80£.

a physio discovered that dc's 'growing' pains where something quite major in need of urgent investigation and treatment.

PickwickThePlockingDodo · 07/08/2019 10:39

So did the GP test a urine sample? As icecream said, I had agonising back pain when I had a kidney infection and with no temperature.

Notmyideamovingon · 07/08/2019 11:09

Rheumatology would be better op

Original poster

Dontstepinthecowpat · 07/08/2019 11:27

Sorry, I will update properly now I am sat at my desk.

I had already booked a private physio assessment a few weeks ago before the back pain started as I have been so concerned about his gait, he had this appointment yesterday. The physio was really concerned and said he is not using his right hip at all when walking he is rotating his whole pelvis. She has suggested Perthes Disease and was going to call GP to arrange ortho referral. She would not touch him until they have looked into it further. Possibly the back pain could be coming from compensating when he is walking.

I have had him at the GP at least 6 times this year and they have been so dismissive with his various aches and pains and on and off limping. I can understand that the GP yesterday couldn't find anything, she asked him to walk around the room (which was about 3 metres wide) and examined his back again but I could see that she was not worried. It's very difficult when you have different medical professionals with differing opinions

The pain is much to high to be kidney, it is between his shoulder blades.

OP posts:

PickwickThePlockingDodo · 07/08/2019 15:08

The pain is much to high to be kidney, it is between his shoulder blades.

Oh, I assumed it was mid/lower back because of the hip pain/straining.

akkakk · 07/08/2019 15:19

Pain can appear in funny places - esp. if he is compensating for something elsewhere...

I had Perthes at that age - and it can cause pain in lots of places because basically you can't move your hip correctly... - def. persue - I was diagnosed at a children's clinic in a London hospital - not by the GP

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