Osteomyelitis

[weebarra]

Does anyone have any experience of osteomyelitis in children?
Took DS2 (9) to GP on Friday with leg pain. GP referred to X-ray, seen today - infection identified in leg. MRI and biopsy tomorrow.
Dr Google says can be a long recovery period involving IV antibiotics?
Poor DS2 is very sore and also worried about missing school.

Has he definitely been given a diagnosis of osteomyelitis? Have they made any other suggestions.

I only ask because that’s what I was told my issue could likely be as the ‘good option’

No, and they haven't used the word osteomyelitis either - just bone infection.
Obviously my biggest fear is a sarcoma (I'm currently in remission from cancer myself).

I had osteosarcoma and was told it’s either a osteosarcoma or osteomyelitis.

My story began very similarly to your sons.

Where in his leg is the pain? Is it around the joint?

Ankle joint. He doesn't have a temperature and has had no obvious injuries.

How are you now?

Is he waking in the night in pain? Excessively tired? Loss of appetite? Did they show you the x ray?

Poor boy must be in a lot of discomfort. I think if it is an osteomyelitis then the antibiotics are given intravenously? Do you have a orthopaedic hospital near you?

What part of the country are you in? (If you don’t mind my asking)

I am 12 years clear, married mother of three

I have problems with my leg and catch every bug going, but it’s a small issue really.

What about you? Must be extremely stressful given you’re only recently out of the thick of it yourself!

We're in Scotland. No specialist orthopaedic hospital, although it was the orthopaedic consultant he saw at the children's hospital.
It's been sore for a couple of weeks but he can't weight bear now. He has been tired and appetite has decreased.

You must be very worried. Regardless of what it is- they’ve identified that there is an issue and they’re going to investigate further: that in itself is a HUGE hurdle to pass with young people unfortunately. Please keep me updated on how yesterday goes, and feel free to message me if you would like to talk more

My son had this but was very ill with high fever etc & basically infection had gone from bone to knee & caused septic knee joint.

Loads of ABs / week in hospital / whole term on crutches but he's absolutely fine now.

If he's not got a fever and it is osteomyelitis - the good news is you've probably caught it early!

Thank you crab and arse (😂).
It is osteomyelitis and was caught before spreading from his ankle to knee. He's currently with his dad in hospital and I'll take over once DS1 and DD are in school tomorrow.
No idea when he'll get out. Thanks for your support.

OP, I’m glad your son has received a diagnosis and that it is Osteomyelitis over what I feared!

I hope he isn’t in too much discomfort and that his hospital treatment go smoothly. Be kind to yourself at this time too

good that the gp was on the ball
(ours fobbed us off with 'growing pains') for a week until we just went to a&e.
you need to wait for the biopsy result. osteomyelitis can be auto-immune or from an infection. tb might also be tested for (has dc ever had raw milk?)

dc took a high dose naproxen for a while, both to relieve the pain and to reduce the inflammation.

Glad you got it early & hope your DS makes a fast recovery!!