Sudden hip pain in 12 yr old

[Flossie44]

My dd got up off the sofa tonight and literally can’t weight bare. Her hip is agony and we had to carry her to bed!!

She’s on growth hormone therapy.

I wondered if it was sciatica but I’ve just read that it is usually felt in the back of the leg. DD’s pain is in the front of her hip/groin area.

Do I need to see a doctor tomorrow or see how it goes??

I would be calling 111 right now, at a minimum.

^ this x

Has dd been ill recently? My ds had this last year, was sent to A&E by doctor and had xray and blood test to check there wasn't an infection in the hip joint. Apparently its a common problem, especially if they have recently recoved from an illness or bug

@Cheesewiz

Has dd been ill recently? My ds had this last year, was sent to A&E by doctor and had xray and blood test to check there wasn't an infection in the hip joint. Apparently its a common problem, especially if they have recently recoved from an illness or bug

I think you are referring to transient synovitis. Ds had it when he was about 18 months following a very run of the mill cold.

I know very little about them but being on growth hormones would spur me to get it checked out ASAP.

I’m waiting for go surgery to open and I’ll call immediately.

She hasn’t been ill at all and is really bubbly and happy. Until she tries to stand. And she just has no weight bearing ability.

Sounds like she needs a slipped upper femoral epiphysis excluding fairly urgently. This needs ED not GP. Hope it all turns out well.

She needs an X-ray. Go to Urgent Care Centre or A+E.

She needs to see a doctor asap and dont make her stand on it until she has been assessed

I would take her to A&E ds had similar and spent a week in hospital - was reactive arthritis although he had not been ill either.

Hope Dd feels better soon.

Agree with greybeardy. First thought was a slipped upper femoral epiphysis. Needs checking out today, somewhere that can X-ray her.

This sounds urgent. My son has this a lot younger and like pp said he has a cold virus a couple of days earlier. We stayed in hospital two days and lots of tests, x rays etc. I can’t remember what it was called but it was viral it would just clear up but if bacterial it could destroy his hip bone in a matter of hours. All the best.

Defo needs checking out. Unlikely in that age but it could be septic arthritis which is an emergency. Hope you got an appt.

I'd take to A&E for this, as it may be serious.

Thank you all.

Currently sat in A&E with her.
Called gp surgery but was told couldn’t have a call back appointment until last thing today.
Called 111 who said a doctor would call within 2 hours. Still nothing.

So drove the hour trip to the main A&E dept!!

Was so hard getting her out of the car 😫

Well done OP. Hope the wait isnt too long. Have a think back over the last few days/weeks. Has she has any other symptoms been slowly developing anything. It might provide some useful context for the doctor

Just been seen by young doctor. He examined her and then said ‘well it’s not broken......and she looks too well for it to be infected’.

And he’s gone again!!

But she still can’t wait bear. And even hopping from the wheelchair to the bed and as excruciating. It’s the movement.

Insist on an Xray

Hoping you have some more answers by now op

The young doc did a sudden U turn!!
Have had x ray, bloods and seen orthopaedic doc.

No sign of infection. X-ray seemed ok. Could be ‘pre slip’ stage of SUFE. But they think it’s actually Avascular necrosis.
I’ve never heard of it!! Not sure what it is so will google tentatively when I get home later.
Urgent mri has been booked to have in the next few days and then an outpatient app next week.

So suddenly took it seriously.

Thanks for giving me the push to go x

The young doc went to get some advice from a senior. Well done that young doc.

A vascular necrosis can be serious. I hope it isn’t that.

Are they querying Perthes Disease ?

Well done for going. The young doctor probably reported back to someone more senior, which would explain his change of heart. Hope your DD feels better soon.

Good on you for going. I agree that the doc must have spoken to someone more experienced. Thank goodness for teamwork!

Yes he deffo went higher. It then went to orthopaedic doctor, then she ran off and got a hip specialist.

Due to dd’s steroid dependency, they are definitely thinking a vascular necrosis.

Everything I’ve googled contradicts. So still none the wiser....

Hi Flossie, I hope you have some answers soon. Is the cortisol deficient? My son is too. In these sort of circumstances I would double hydrocortisone to be on the safe side.