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Original poster

Hurt arm on Friday - still not using it. Why?!

13 replies

Wallace · 03/05/2009 08:00

On Friday I gave ds2 (almost 3) what I thought was a pulled elbow . He has had one before (and dd used to get them all the time) so I waited 24 hours to see if it got better.

It didn't and he was in pain, so yesterday I took him to the Out of Hours centre. They said all the joints seemed fine but thought he maybe had a greenstick fracture of his forearm and x-rayed him.

X-ray fine - No fracture, but he as he still wasn't using it they are phoning me today to see if it is better, and if not we have to go back in and then maybe up to the big hospital to see a paediatrician.

He still isn't using it at all, but maybe is moving it a bit more. Still sore but not as bad as it was I think. He is actually jumping a bit on the sofa as I type but is holding slightly out from his body.

Anybody have any experiences to share?

OP posts:
preggersplayspop · 03/05/2009 08:26

Hello, I can't give any advice, but I am in the same situation. My DS hurt his leg on Friday, had an x-ray and they said no fracture, but he still won't use it.

I phoned the hospital again today and they said give calpol/nurofen and as it wasn't fractured he "had to start using it". I am wondering if some of it is psychological as he can stand on it (he did briefly yesterday) and when he tries to use the leg he doesn't yelp out or wince really badly, but I am worried they missed something so going to keep a close eye on it.

Hope someone else has some advice for you!

Original poster
Wallace · 03/05/2009 09:26

Thanks. how old is your ds? hope he starts using it,legs are harder not to use IYSWIM - arms can just dangle!

I suppose it could be a sprain

OP posts:
preggersplayspop · 03/05/2009 10:14

My DS is 2. Its strange him not running around everywhere. He's in good spirits otherwise though.

I think he forgot it was hurt before and went to walk on it and just collapsed in pain so I don't think its psychological. I'm going to keep an eye on it today then take him back tomorrow.

One of the nurses at the hospital mentioned toddler fractures, which I looked up and the symptoms and how they can occur sounded very much like my situation, but I don't want to second guess the doctors. They were a bit rubbish though, didn't really give any advice about after-care etc.

Original poster
Wallace · 03/05/2009 13:30

Your poor ds (enjoy the not running around everywhere while you can though )

Doctor today said it is probably ligaments. She said to take him to GP in a couple of days if it isn't better and get referred to Orthopaedics

OP posts:
tiggerlovestobounce · 03/05/2009 13:32

My DD had something like this, where she just suddenly stopped using her leg. I was told its pretty common for little kids to do this, and that if a limb is sore they can just stop using it till it feels better.

bruffin · 03/05/2009 18:50

My DD hurt her arm when she was 3 playing horses with DS. Didn't do anything overnight but I did notice she wasn't even moving it in her sleep so next moring took her to a&e.

Doctor was pretty sure she had broken it, but xray didn't show anything up.

They sent us home and said it was really improtant she started using it as soon as possible and to dose her up with the nurofen. This isn't just for pain relief but to reduce any inflammation. She started using it again the next day.

Original poster
Wallace · 03/05/2009 21:10

Thanks both of you. I will make sure I dose him up.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wallace · 04/05/2009 06:30

Still not using it, and it is definitely still painful

OP posts:
preggersplayspop · 04/05/2009 12:18

Been back to hospital today and my DS is in a full leg cast . They missed the fracture on Friday. Another doctor looked at the same x-ray from Friday and spotted it (didn't take too long for him to see it either...)

Wallace - hope your DS is ok.

lisad123 · 04/05/2009 16:19

when i was at children's A&E the nurse explained sometimes it takes a few days for an xray to show small breaks.
sorry your LO is in cast, but hope his better soon.

Original poster
Wallace · 04/05/2009 16:48

Oh preggers, your poor ds

Meanwhile mine has made a miraculous recovery

Started being able to move his arm when offered sweets, then started gingerly using to pick things up, and now seems almost back to normal.

I guess he just needed the confidence to realise that it wasn't hurting so much anymore. I also made sure I kept the Ibuprofen up!

OP posts:
preggersplayspop · 04/05/2009 18:29

Ah, sweets! We tried that! Glad your DS has recovered.

lisad123 - I read that in some of the internet research I did, apparently after a couple of days bone starts to grow around the fracture so it can be more visible. In my case however, they just used the same x-rays from last Friday

Original poster
Wallace · 04/05/2009 18:59

about hte x-rays. I had wondered if they missed something in my ds's case but obviously not!

Amazing that it took 3 days for sweets to workfor us - usually an instant magical cure

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