Recurring limp and leg pain

pumpkinspice1 · 2021-10-20T10:45:48+00:00

My toddler is 23 months old. In March he had irritable hip. He couldn't weight bare they did a hip X-ray said he was constipated. Took blood and said he had high inflammation and diagnosed irritable hip. Since then my toddler hasn't walked properly. He has a very noticeable weakness on his left side. His knee gives way daily. I took him back to the GP who referred us for physio back in may we still have no appointment for this. The past four weeks he has been waking up crying touching his leg saying ouch. The crying lasts between 1-3 hours until he eventually settles. Should I take him back to the GP or wait for the referral to physiotherapy? [confused]

Original poster

pumpkinspice1 · 20/10/2021 17:56

Anyone?

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SusannahHolmes · 20/10/2021 18:15

I would be ringing the physio department to see where he is on the waiting list and telling them he is deteriorating. I would also be calling GP to see if they can press for urgency.

SusannahHolmes · 20/10/2021 18:18

Actually having just looked it up, it seems like irritable hip should have cleared up by now, some time ago.
I would be going back to GP and requesting further tests asap.

Four4me · 20/10/2021 18:20

Physio here. Back to GP tell them about the night pain.

Four4me · 20/10/2021 18:22

Sorry sent too soon! The Physio would be referring for further investigation if you told them this information. I hope that you get to the bottom of it quickly xxxxx

chinateapot · 20/10/2021 18:24

GP here. I’d want to see this within the next day or two I think. Needs further assessment before just sending to physio.

Hairyfriend · 20/10/2021 18:27

Get in touch with the Dr again. My brother ended up with Perthes disease in his hip. Although older, his started as pain and a limp.

Original poster

pumpkinspice1 · 20/10/2021 18:50

@SusannahHolmes

Actually having just looked it up, it seems like irritable hip should have cleared up by now, some time ago. I would be going back to GP and requesting further tests asap.

They've told us on three separate occasions it's just irritable hip. He isn't getting any better and due to covid waiting times are horrendous. Now with the night time wakings I'm just concerned. Will make a GP appointment thank you xx

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Original poster

pumpkinspice1 · 20/10/2021 18:50

@Four4me

Physio here. Back to GP tell them about the night pain.

I will thank you so much xx

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Original poster

pumpkinspice1 · 20/10/2021 18:51

@chinateapot

GP here. I’d want to see this within the next day or two I think. Needs further assessment before just sending to physio.

Thank you I will call them tomorrow xx

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Original poster

pumpkinspice1 · 20/10/2021 18:51

@Hairyfriend

Get in touch with the Dr again. My brother ended up with Perthes disease in his hip. Although older, his started as pain and a limp.

I will look into this thank you xx

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checkedroses · 20/10/2021 19:03

I’m also a GP and I would be bringing him in same day/next day if you were on my triage list tomorrow. I’d write down bullet points - 7 month history (not consistent with irritable hip), persisting limp, weakness and now night pain- before you phone to make sure you get them across and I would be expecting an urgent paediatric (not physio) referral. Best wishes hope he gets seen quickly.

weresupermonsters · 20/10/2021 19:33

My son has just had irritable hip, he limped for 2/3 days. We went through a&e as he has a history of infections. Anyway he's fine now, but we saw a consultant last Friday (limp had gone) who said all looks fine but as bloods were elevated at a&e he wants to see him again this Friday just to make sure. And that if he starts to limp again or gets a temp take him straight back to a&e.
I just wanted to highlight the total difference in care of 'irritable hip'

Original poster

pumpkinspice1 · 20/10/2021 21:11

@checkedroses

I’m also a GP and I would be bringing him in same day/next day if you were on my triage list tomorrow. I’d write down bullet points - 7 month history (not consistent with irritable hip), persisting limp, weakness and now night pain- before you phone to make sure you get them across and I would be expecting an urgent paediatric (not physio) referral. Best wishes hope he gets seen quickly.

Thank you so much I will xx

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Original poster

pumpkinspice1 · 20/10/2021 21:13

@weresupermonsters

My son has just had irritable hip, he limped for 2/3 days. We went through a&e as he has a history of infections. Anyway he's fine now, but we saw a consultant last Friday (limp had gone) who said all looks fine but as bloods were elevated at a&e he wants to see him again this Friday just to make sure. And that if he starts to limp again or gets a temp take him straight back to a&e. I just wanted to highlight the total difference in care of 'irritable hip'

My son has had repeated fevers weight loss and is extremely pale and every time I've taken him they just say the virus has settled in his hip again. It's exhausting. He struggles to walk his limp is very noticeable and his knee gives way daily. It's a shame for him. Hope you're little one is better now xx

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Original poster

pumpkinspice1 · 20/10/2021 22:20

@checkedroses

I’m also a GP and I would be bringing him in same day/next day if you were on my triage list tomorrow. I’d write down bullet points - 7 month history (not consistent with irritable hip), persisting limp, weakness and now night pain- before you phone to make sure you get them across and I would be expecting an urgent paediatric (not physio) referral. Best wishes hope he gets seen quickly.

He has also developed a rash which has got darker since the week has gone on. Some spots disappear and some don't. No allergies of what we are aware and no eczema previous.

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SkinPaperThin · 22/10/2021 16:14

If you don't get any joy from gp I'd just go straight to A&E personally. That list of symptoms plus the limp & pain doesn't sound right at all.

Original poster

pumpkinspice1 · 22/10/2021 17:18

@SkinPaperThin

If you don't get any joy from gp I'd just go straight to A&E personally. That list of symptoms plus the limp & pain doesn't sound right at all.

I saw my GP today and he was extremely dismissive of my sons symptoms. Said his leg looked a little swollen but he wasn't concerned as there was no obvious pain whilst weight bearing. He said he would refer me but it's an 8 week wait. I'm so stressed with this I don't know how they can't see how unwell he looks in himself.

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checkedroses · 23/10/2021 14:00

One option would be to call 111 for an OOH appt over the weekend but the other option would be to take him to A&E - it’s not ideal but nor is an eight week wait appropriate imho (obviously only going by what you’ve written here not having seen him). If you go to A&e with a toddler who is limping (esp if he is feverish) it should be taken seriously. If you have a choice of A&Es choose one with an on site paediatric ward/dept as it would be easier to arrange review by paeds if needed.
I hope you can get someone to see him.

weresupermonsters · 23/10/2021 21:57

Has he ever had bloods done op?
I demanded them when I took my son it (mainly due to his history where I was sent away from a&e, back the next day had bloods and he was seriously ill and an inpatient for a month!)
His CRP was raised this past time which is why they saw him in clinic 3 days later and also the following week.
Tbh if I was you I would be at a&e and not leaving without a blood test.

3luckystars · 23/10/2021 22:03

I would bring him to the paediatric dept at the hospital right now and would not leave until they investigate this further. I’m so sorry your gp is dismissive, you know there is something wrong so go elsewhere and go now. Make a list and ask for a full review. Good luck.

happylittlevegemites · 23/10/2021 22:15

Has he had an x-ray? I’m a podiatrist and I’d be concerned if this were my patient. An option could be to see a private specialist paediatric physio or podiatrist, as they would have more time and might be able to see you sooner. Nothing against my NHS colleagues, just that their waiting list are horrendous! They might be able to help send you in the right direction. They might also find things aren’t as bad as they seem, and reassure you. Otherwise, I’d consider a and e (and I practically never suggest a and e!).

InTropicalTrumpsLand · 23/10/2021 22:19

I second A&E, OP. Mention all his symptoms, including the weight loss, and ask for an X-ray at least. When it comes to bone, being able to see is very helpful.

I don't usually post in this section, but your title caught my attention - I research a childhood bone cancer so that your GP dismissed the symptoms so easily even when his first diagnosis seems to not be right is quite shocking.

Original poster

pumpkinspice1 · 23/10/2021 22:22

Thank you so much for all of your advice we have decided to pay privately to see a paediatrician as it's an 8 week wait via the NHS. We have an appointment at the beginning of November xx

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Original poster

pumpkinspice1 · 23/10/2021 22:24

@InTropicalTrumpsLand

I second A&E, OP. Mention all his symptoms, including the weight loss, and ask for an X-ray at least. When it comes to bone, being able to see is very helpful.

I don't usually post in this section, but your title caught my attention - I research a childhood bone cancer so that your GP dismissed the symptoms so easily even when his first diagnosis seems to not be right is quite shocking.

I saw my GP on Friday. He said he thought my son was walking fine and as there was no pain was not concerned. I showed him videos of my sons knee giving way and how he isn't walking how he used too but he said he could see nothing wrong. He didn't want to go over any of his previous issues with fevers and paleness/weight loss and said the rash was eczema. We have decided to pay privately for a second opinion xx

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