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Original poster

24 month old limping

37 replies

SlightlyMadSweet · 19/05/2008 22:03

First noticed Saturday, but she doesn't actually seem worried about it/in pain etc. so do I:

a) ignore it (and hope leg doesn't fall off)
b) take her to GP/chiropracter/witch doctor after 3/5/7/10days if not better
c) rush her to A&E now and demand they X-Ray it and put pins and rods in to stabilise the bone/joint thingy?

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 19/05/2008 22:06

Is it likely to be something she's doing for attention or because she's been watching House?

Seriously, I wouldn't ignore it, I'd make an appointment at the GP for Monday and tell her you are worried about it and so you'll go see the magic knee doctor to see if he can fix it with his knee hammer. That might magically sort it out (unless she likes going to the doctors), either way you'll get an answer.

DarrellRivers · 19/05/2008 22:08

GP tomorrow
limping child, very reasonable

whomovedmychocolate · 19/05/2008 22:10

Well if she's not in pain, there is no harm really in leaving it till Monday. It is unlikely to be a severe injury without pain. Telling her you have made an appt and are taking it seriously gives her a chance to have a think and quit pretending if she is.

DarrellRivers · 19/05/2008 22:17

If she's limping and only 24months I don't think that it should wait for a week.
It is most likely nothing serious, but I would be very happy to see any 2 yo with a limp and no obvious trauma ( GP here)
She has had it now for 3 days with no improvemnet
Get it checked out

Original poster
SlightlyMadSweet · 19/05/2008 22:17

SHe is literally 24m old.

She doesn't understand what a Dr is or an appointment.

I don't think she is "putting it on" as it is constant, and the same leg each time. IT doesn't seem like an act.

I am reassured that she is not in any siginficant discomfort as you can have a good feel and she doesn't yelp. It is not stopping her want to walk (which is a shame at times ).

What will/can GP do? If it was serious she would a) tell us verbally (she uses the term "sore" correctly) b) be in obvious pain. GP will have a feel like we have done. It is not obviously swollen/bruised/no cuts or blisters on foot.

OTOH when does it become a concern? I was thinking of giving it till Friday (a week)

OP posts:
Original poster
SlightlyMadSweet · 19/05/2008 22:17

TY Darrel.

Ignore my last post then.

I will try and get an appointment for tommorrow.

OP posts:
DarrellRivers · 19/05/2008 22:21

SMS, if your GP is worried at all, they will arrange for you to see the orthopaedic team at the hospital and get xrays etc, which is a better way to do it than going via A+E, and most GPs have more experience than the average A+E junior doctor.
Good luck tomorrow, I'm sure it will all be non worrying though in the end, it usually is

pucca · 19/05/2008 22:21

SMS... Has she had an accident? fallen or anything you can think of?

I went through hell with my dd, who started with a slight limp at 15 mths (ish) it ended up with her unable to weight bare at all, and in hospital on IV antibiotics for a bone infection. Eventually found out it was a bone infection after they did an MRI a few months later. (a few people may remember, i was Lilsmum then).

I don't want to panic you as it may be something simple, but look out for redness, swelling and her foot feeling hot.

Hope all is ok, and if you end up going to the GP don't take what they say as gospel, as i was originally told my dd just had a sprain... i had to fight to get her checked out properly.

pucca · 19/05/2008 22:22

BTW my dd wasn't in any pain really, just noticed a limp and her walking on the side of her foot to begin with.

DarrellRivers · 19/05/2008 22:22

What pucca says...
and yes, if not getting better, keep going until you get an answer

pucca · 19/05/2008 22:23

Oh and it also wasn't swollen to begin with, that was afterwards.

(sorry i keep remember things).

DarrellRivers · 19/05/2008 22:23

I always take ages to check out a limping 2 year old, it is not like a cough or a cold.
You have to make sure you are not missing anything

pucca · 19/05/2008 22:26

I had a complete nightmare DR they all thought i was a neurotic mother, but in the end it turned out i was right, i did loads of research on the internet, it was a terrible time.

Quite odd as i almost said no to the MRI as dd was then ok and had started to walk, and i was scared of her having a general to have it done, but so glad i did as it gave them the diagnosis.

Original poster
SlightlyMadSweet · 19/05/2008 22:26

Pucca - as I say nothing to see at all. We have checked from her hip down - although it seems to originate at ankle as she seems to be avoiding flexing her foot. Not 100% sure though.

The only thing I can think of is that the night before I noticed it (or it may even have been 2 nights before) she lost her footing on hte stairs. She didn't actually fall as I had her hand firmly but she kind of slipped to her bum IYSWIM.

I don't recall her limping between the fall and when I first noticed - and it is quite obvious. But she wouldn't have been far of bed.

OP posts:
avenanap · 19/05/2008 22:27

Can you see any swelling/redness?

pucca · 19/05/2008 22:29

Definately get her checked out SMS, and keep your eye on her heel/foot. It really opened my eyes with what happened with my dd, i always thought a limp would be something fairly simple...

She had gastroenteritis prior to this with her foot, and the consultant at one point said it was down to it settling in her hip (wtf?) as i said ended up being much more serious and was a hellish time. long long story. Have a search under my old name - lilsmum.

Really hope your dd is ok. xx

DarrellRivers · 19/05/2008 22:30

oh pucca, what a nightmare
None of my limping children i have seen have ever had anything serious like your dd, mostly they have had something called transient synovitis,which tends to settle spontaneously but I try to make sure I won't miss something like that and so get ortho review
I think any parent who attends on the 3rd occasion usually needs further investigation as usually most things have settled before that , you poor thing, thinking everyone thought you were neurotic

pucca · 19/05/2008 22:30

With my dd, it was a bone infection in her heel, and nothing to see what so ever to begin with, she wasn't in any pain, just had this limp.

Original poster
SlightlyMadSweet · 19/05/2008 22:31

WEill be wary pucca.

TBH i have no concerns over a sprain/strain injury.

What worries me is if it something "medical" like that.

Oh and I have an excellent GP - who I am sure will be just fine

OP posts:
DarrellRivers · 19/05/2008 22:32

Good to hear SMS
Let us know how it goes tomorrow

pucca · 19/05/2008 22:32

DR...She is a happy dancing 4 yr old now but it was the worst 6 months of my life, she ended up with a cast on,skin infection and thrush from the strong IV antibiotics, was just a nightmare, and i lost all my faith in the NHS at that point.

pucca · 19/05/2008 22:34

see here

DarrellRivers · 19/05/2008 22:34

Good for puccagirl
Listen to your instincts, and listen to the child's parents instincts, we are taught that in medical school but sometimes people forget it

DarrellRivers · 19/05/2008 22:35

charting your way to conception ?????

pucca · 19/05/2008 22:35

Sorry! ignore that one, don't know what happened then lol.

here instead

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