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Unexplained Pain In 4yo Leg

10 replies

MuMmaOf3littles · 02/02/2022 13:06

My 4yo DS has had a sudden onset of pain his right leg which began a week ago. At first I thought growing pains but after doing a bit of reading it doesn't seem to match up to it. Me and DP have gone over and over to try and think if he's fallen over or had a hard knock, but we're both 99% sure he hasn't. I've spoken to his teachers in school and they're not aware anything has happened. When asked where it hurts he's pointed to his knee, shin and down to his ankle / top of foot. It seems a lot worse in the morning than it does in the evening. It's causing him to walk with a limp and walk lame like he can't bend his leg properly. I've checked his leg and there's no sign of injury so I'm baffled as to what it could be. After ringing the doctors this morning, thankfully he has an appointment this evening, but I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this happen to their child and if they came to a conclusion of what it could be. Tia.

OP posts:
purplesequins · 02/02/2022 13:12

is the pain better or worse in the evenings?

is he hypermobile (sits onthe floor with legs in w shape)?

does it hurt to touch?

pain at rest can be indicative of an inflammation.

children that age tumble about a lot, could well be an injury. but excellent that you get it checked out.

Ohjustboreoff · 02/02/2022 13:32

Sounds like growing pains to me. My DD used to get leg and lower back pain, mostly at night. She would cry out it was so painful, a week or so of this and she'd have a huge growth spurt. She's experiencing pain with her teeth at the moment as they are all moving and jostling for space. Calpol is your best friend.

purplesequins · 02/02/2022 13:42

growing pains are usually both sided.

pain without obvious cause, especially if one sided, needs to be investigated.

op have a look at crmo if the symptoms fit.

Thatsplentyjack · 02/02/2022 13:45

If he's walking with a limp, did you not think tk take him for an xray?

rainrainraincamedowndowndown · 02/02/2022 14:01

It was a while back, but my dc had a pain in his leg, limping at first but gradually got worse and he collapsed and couldn't walk anymore. Turned out the virus he had few weeks before and recovered got into his leg muscle.

StellaGibs · 02/02/2022 18:49

It needs investigating yes, it could be anything.

My son has had it on and off since he was 3 and he had an odd gait with excessive tripping when he was younger too. He was diagnosed as hypermobile by a paediatrician and he said with growth spurts it will get worse.

candle18 · 02/02/2022 23:37

How did you get on at the GP? My boys all had irritable hip around that age which caused them to limp. It’s caused by a virus.

MuMmaOf3littles · 03/02/2022 09:14

Just an update - he saw the GP yesterday who was completely baffled but could see something was up. He wanted us to be seen last night by doctors and not wait. So we went straight to the hospital. He had bloods and an xray done. His white blood cells were slightly raised and the doctor seems to think he's suffering from Perthes disease. We're still in hospital this morning to see doctors again and I'll be doing a bit of research about the disease as I've not heard of it.

OP posts:
SRK2024 · 25/02/2025 23:19

Hi. Hope you are well. My 4 year has a similar pain but was wondering if you future out what had happened. Thanks

Siriusmuggle · 28/02/2025 13:54

If it is perthes please shout up if you want to know anything about it. My son was diagnosed at 4. He’s now 21 so well out the other side.

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