ds1 is limping- what do I do?

[Jimjams2]

Started limping tonight- no idea why. When I asked him where it hurt he pointed to his knee. He has a big bruise on his chest from falling onto a bike, but did that this morning and I haven't noticed him limping until this evening. He has been jumping off his playhouse roof all day, but again I didn't notice him hurt himself at all.

Am I right in thinking that as he's bearing some weight (or is he- it's all tiptoes on that leg), and isn't howling it's OK to leave? He's practically unexaminable. I'd say is definitely un-x-rayable, and would struggle with a casualty length wait. On the other hand it can be very difficult to tell how badly he's hurt himself. It's obviously hurting him as he doesn't put things on.

I suppose I'm asking how long can I leave a limping child before having no choice but to get it checked?

perhaps he's strained it - how about calpol or ibupofen tonight and see how he is in the morning?

Thanks- he's in bed now. I'm hoping its something like a strain- presumably that will just go away on its own? Do you think a strain would be gone by the morning- if something minor like that can take quite a while to goI might leave him until Sunday or something.

If he landed heavily whilst jumping he might have jarred it?

I think I would decide tomorrow - see if it's swollen or bruised and if you're worried go to the GP?

I deffo wouldn't go to A&E - far too much hassle.

I don't think the GP will get near him, so its kind of not worth going unless its AandE level of seriousness if you see what I mean. I've broken bones before and been in absolute agony so I assume its nothing like that. Sound slike its OK to leave for a few days (phew) thanks!

hope he feels better tomorrow

7 to 10 days for strained ligaments according to netdoctor

God me too - last time we were in A and E (about 3 years ago I think- bladder had gone into spasm) he was running in and out of all the cubicles and refused point blank to have nurofen- managed to tip it all over the nurse. They'd have to knock him out for an X ray!

oh thanks- probably have some ruta will dig it out.

He was pointing at the centre of his knee though.

oh well if you haven't been for 3 years, time to give it a whirl (not)

I suspect the hospital would rather we never came back. I was in in November with ds3- he was bad enough - if I apppear with ds1 they're going to wonder what on earth is going on DS2 however was one of the best behaved children they had seen apparently when he had a chip stuck up his nose

I'd go to GP in a day or two if he's still limping on it and sooner if it gets worse. We had a septic arthritis episode a year ago, which began with DD1 limping and saying her hip hurt (we'd just had bronchitis so I assumed it was caused by too much sitting/lying down). Unfortunatley it turned out much more serious.

Sorry! Don't want to be a scaremonger and your DS knee is probably the result of falling & jumping, but just so you know!

Thanks norks- yes that's what I worry about- that by leaving it it's something worse. I remember a childhood friend limping round for a week or so before his mum decided to get him looked at and he had a small fracture!

On the other hand things like hospitals and doctors are very stressful for ds1 so I don't want to go unless abolsutely necessary. I guess I'm wondering how long wait and see is acceptable.

He came into me at 4.15am- bit early for him- it's been 5am on the dot recently. So don't know whether it woke him up. When we eventually got up I aksed him again where it hurt and this time he indicated his ankle- and his ankle is all swollen. No bruising though. I'm assuming he's twisted or sprained it, so I think I'll leave it for a few days. He's back to school on Monday so if it's still bad on Sunday I may get it looked at then. Of course he's trying to run and climb as normal and keeps falling over.

poor ds1 - I suppose that you have no chance of persuading him to rest it with a bag of frozen peas on the swelling?

No, thought not

Any chance of some ibuprofen?

ibuprofen would be good wouldn't it, but it's very difficult to get into him- calpol he will take. I was thinking of picking up a support thing (he might not keep it on but can try) isn't there an ibugel or something you can get- he likes creams etc.

As for rest ..... His latest obsession is to run next door (they've moved out last week so the house is empty), climb on their wall and look at their balcony door you can now see - then he jumped down (hopped down just now when he dragged me out there in the rain).

Think I'm going to try and take him out for a walk today (the other 2 are out of the house). It's preferable to lots of jumping I think.......

awww god fio- that's what I'm worried about....... Think it'll need 2 people though. Now he's just brought me a "soft play" PECS pmsl

seiously though fio - how badly was she limping? Sometimes he looks OK - it's mild and he's just walking on tip toes, then he gets bad and has to hold onto the wall- he's still trying to run though......

You see ds2 by this stage would be doing a complete dying swan act.

a&e won't take calls now- they send you too NHS direct- but I don't think their computer program will cope with the "he also has severe autism" line so we'll get the standard go to a&E for an x-ray (right!) DH isn't home until midnight. Agghhhhh!

acording to my oracle netdoctor

What medication can be used?

The doctor may prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen (eg Brufen).

Your doctor or pharmacist will also be able to advise you about creams, gels and support bandages which can be used to treat minor sprains and be bought from a pharmacist without a prescription.

so a trip to the pharmacist, maybe? are you able to get out at the mo or are you stuck in the house?

Must be very frustrating for you.

Hmmm now he's not really crying about it.......