Toddler with limp......any experience?

[Hammy58]

So a little background. About 7 months ago my LO and I were playing outside and he fell in what looked like a chipmunk hole. His leg went down in it and he fell while running. Afterward I noticed he had a limp and thought he had just sprained his ankle. He did cry a bit but was not inconsolable, and his crying didn't last long. The limp went away within about 2-3 days. This was the first time I noticed a limp on his right leg.

Since then, I think some days that maybe I might see him limp on his right leg but disregard it because it's so infrequent and not very noticeable. It's really hard to tell whether he's really limping or not, but I'm about 95% sure that some days he really is limping.

A couple weeks ago we went to the mall to play on the play structure. After about thirty times down the slide (he was playing pretty hard) my husband commented that it looked like LO was limping. And indeed it looked like he was limping but he was not acting like he was in pain and again the limp was not that noticeable. I felt a little uneasy about it because I thought I'd been noticing something the past few months but pushed it out of my mind because it went away within 24 hrs. this time.

Today I picked him up from daycare and they said that he had fallen while running in the gym and started crying and shaking a little, he was visibly upset. And yet again he had a limp, this time very noticeable. But they could not tell what really happened, no other kids involved, basically he just tripped. This has really got me wondering if there is something else going on here with his right leg. Anybody experience this with their toddler? I'm going into worry mode. My husband thinks nothing is wrong and I think we need to get it checked into. My husband is a physical therapist so he does know about the body but he does not specialize in pediatrics and is obviously not a pediatrician. We usually both take opposite stances on this stuff, he's of the idea our son is always fine nothing wrong, and I'm on the opposite spectrum. We've both been right in different situations. Looking for experience from anyone out there, a third party opinion here. My son is awesome, would never trade him for the world, but I do feel like we've had a lot of issues. Feeling down about it. It's been really bad reflux, his speech, and now this. Just feeling sad because I want the best for him, and I wish things were easier for him. Any encouragement would be appreciated too as I'm just really down. Thanks.

 

[suzib76]

Tbh I would have taken mine for an xray as soon as the first incident happened, just in case of any fracture. Still I would see a doctor about it ASAP, I can't understand why you are feeling down about it, he fell, got hurt and needs to see a doctor, that's all

 

[Hammy58]

Already made the doctors appointment. I'm sorry I'm feeling down and you feel as if I shouldn't be. I guess I shouldn't have posted anything, I was just looking for support. I'm down because I was told 6 months ago he was at the skill level of a 10-18 month old in speech and other areas and this is an added thing, and I'm just feeling like there's always something. And I guess maybe you didn't get the jist of this but my worry is this is more than him getting hurt and having a limp, because it's been prolonged there is an underlying issue.

I will be sure not to post in the future looking for support, sensitivity to my situation, or positivity. Thanks for your help.

 

[suzib76]

Oh dear. Sorry I didn't sugar coat the need to take your child to see a doctor.

 

[Hammy58]

Apology accepted!!!!

You are a sweet thing!

 

[_jellybean_]

Glad you got an appt. sorry you're having a hard time. I'd want an X-ray...to be sure there are no hairline fractures, and just to be sure everything is okay. Is your appt. today? If not, and he's limping, I'd go to the ER. I'd want it checked ASAP...to see if he needs a cast or something like tht.

 

[Hammy58]

Thanks Jellybean.

We're actually headed to the ER now. I haven't seen any improvement and they couldn't get me in to the docs today due to them being closed the past couple days (we've had horrible weather), so they are packed from missing those days.

Supposed to get 6-10 more inches of snow later tonight so figure I better beat mother nature to the punch here.

 

[Kmx]

Lo has had a limp in the past but it wasn't due to a fall and he had to be tested for infections ect which can sometimes cause limping. As it seems like he always falls before the limp comes on it could just be that it's a little tender and he limps to avoid causing any pain or it could be that he may have a small fracture. Either way by goinb to hospital you will know some answers and it'll put your mind at ease. It's difficult when things happen to them, I know how you feel. There's been times when lo just has one thing after another and I'm literarily like what next! Hope u feel better and please update how it goes x

 

[Zou]

The fact that it all started from that one fall down the hole would suggest to me it was caused by that and maybe there was an injury there that never healed fully and is aggravated by other falls etc since. Hopefully an x ray will let you know but I'd try not to worry yet

 

[lhancock90]

It may be a tiny fracture Hun. Hopefully they will discover soon.

Suzi - parents make mistakes and screw up. They are human. I'm sure you aren't the perfect parent either. Sometimes when you have nothing nice to say or no support to offer it's better not to say anything at all.

 

[Logan's Mum]

It may be a tiny fracture Hun. Hopefully they will discover soon.

Suzi - parents make mistakes and screw up. They are human. I'm sure you aren't the perfect parent either. Sometimes when you have nothing nice to say or no support to offer it's better not to say anything at all.

Well said. X

 

[suzib76]

It may be a tiny fracture Hun. Hopefully they will discover soon.

Suzi - parents make mistakes and screw up. They are human. I'm sure you aren't the perfect parent either. Sometimes when you have nothing nice to say or no support to offer it's better not to say anything at all.

.

Oh god I don't profess to be perfect and I wasn't at all saying the op made a mistake or screwed up. Advice was see a doctor? Generally everyone else said the same. Like I already pointed out I don't do sugar coating, I generally give advice concerning facts, so that's what I did.

Never intended for it to be read in any other way than it was written, which was that it needs to be seen by a doctor

 

[Hammy58]

Thank you so much to those of you who took the time to read and offer advice, experiences, and support. I really do appreciate it.

Just got back from the ER. They took a few x-rays and the tech did not see any obvious fractures. However, the radiologist will read it tomorrow and call if they see anything. We saw a physicians assistant and she really did not have any advice other than to follow up with our pediatrician which we have scheduled for Monday morning. She did say that part of the reason she can't tell me more is because she doesn't see many pediatric patients but that our pedi should be all over this Monday with the next step. I'm just glad we went and ruled out a fracture (of course this is pending the radiologist review).

The limp is about the same as it was when I picked him up from daycare. So no improvement there. He's exhausted though, fell asleep on the ride home, poor guy. Hopefully we'll see a little improvement in the morning as he'll be off it for awhile. And hopefully Monday morning we can get a few answers.

 

[JASMAK]

I would see a doctor if the radiologist says its clear. Limping can be a sign of other conditions not mentioned. X

 

[lovelylaura]

Limping can be a sign of lots of things so make sure they are testing for it all. Hope he's feeling better xx