Concerns Over My Son's Limping and Falling
I’m residing in England and I need some advice regarding my three-year-old son. About a week ago, he leaped from some playground apparatus and immediately began to cry, expressing that his foot was in pain. After a short while, he appeared to recover and behaved normally again. However, the following day, I noticed he was walking with a limp. By the third day, his limping had significantly intensified, and he started to fall unexpectedly without any clear cause—almost reminiscent of dyspraxia. Interestingly, since the initial incident, he hasn’t mentioned experiencing any pain. We sought help at a Minor Injuries Unit yesterday, where the staff were uncertain whether the problem lay with his hip or ankle. Due to a recent bout of chicken pox three weeks prior, they suggested a follow-up with a doctor. Consequently, we went to the emergency department (A&E), where X-rays of both his ankle and hip came back clear. They attempted to draw blood for testing related to possible post-infection arthritis, but were unsuccessful, so we were discharged with a referral to a fracture clinic scheduled for next week, despite the X-rays being conducted already. At this point, I’m unsure of the best course of action. Should we return to A&E to attempt the blood draw again? Is it wise to wait and monitor his condition? We are concerned about it deteriorating further. Alternatively, should we schedule an appointment with our GP, although I’m uncertain what assistance they could provide right now? I appreciate any guidance as we navigate this situation. We feel rather overwhelmed about the next steps.
Answers (1)
3/29/2025, 12:40:36 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned when your child is experiencing these symptoms. A limping child who has fallen and is now experiencing changes in mobility can understandably cause anxiety for parents. In your situation, especially with his recent injury and the complications that have followed, here’s a structured approach to consider:
Key Points
- Symptoms Monitoring: Your son's condition needs careful observation to determine if there are further changes.
- Follow-Up Care: Since you have already been seen at A&E and have a referral, it's important to follow through with that appointment.
- Avoid Immediate Return to A&E: Unless his condition worsens significantly, returning to A&E may not be necessary.
Explanation
Your son's history of injury followed by limping and falls suggests there could be a combination of factors at play, including possible soft tissue injury or something related to coordination. Since the X-rays did not show any fractures, this rules out broken bones, which is promising. The concern regarding post-infection arthritis may still be valid, and following up with a specialist is advisable.
While waiting for your follow-up appointment at the fracture clinic, it's crucial to keep an eye on his symptoms. The absence of pain might indicate that this is more about weakness or stability than a severe ongoing injury.
Next Steps
- Watch for Symptoms: Monitor his limping and stability closely. Check for any new signs, such as increased pain, swelling, or behavioral changes.
- Fracture Clinic Appointment: Make sure to attend the scheduled appointment at the fracture clinic. Bring as much information as possible, including notes about his symptoms and any changes you’ve observed since the injury.
- Home Care:
- Encourage rest and limit activities that may exacerbate his limping.
- Keep him safe by ensuring that he has a clear space to move without obstacles that might lead to falls.
- Emergency Indicators: If he starts to show significant pain, swelling, inability to bear weight, or develops a fever, consider seeking medical attention sooner.
Conclusion
It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed in this situation. Staying proactive about monitoring his condition and ensuring follow-up at the fracture clinic is crucial. You’re doing the right thing by seeking advice, and it's important to trust the medical professionals involved. Don't hesitate to reach out for assistance if his condition changes unexpectedly.
Related Questions
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation and Thyroid Issues: Variability in Cardioversion Decisions
Hello everyone, I’m reaching out for guidance regarding my mother’s current health situation, and I’d greatly appreciate any shared experiences or thoughts. **My mother's background:** - **Age**: 55 years - **Weight**: Recently dropped to 116 kg from 118 kg in just two days, likely due to diuretics. - **Health history**: Previously an underactive thyroid, undiagnosed and untreated, now presenting as overactive. - **Medications**: Currently taking thyroid medication and a beta-blocker (Rapiblock). **Current health status:** My mother has been hospitalized since Tuesday, experiencing **atrial fibrillation with heart rates exceeding 200** beats per minute due to her thyroid's hyperactivity. - The plan for cardioversion was initially settled on Tuesday. However, the following day, the medical team advised postponing it until her thyroid levels could be stabilized, believing that her heart rate would return to normal once her thyroid condition was managed. - Her **obesity** precludes her from undergoing a transthoracic echocardiogram, and due to her thyroid concerns, she cannot handle contrast dye (this has been a consistent issue for over four years). Therefore, the only feasible option was a **transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)**, which has yet to be performed. - She has been prescribed various medications including beta-blockers and thyroid treatments in the past. - On Friday, a doctor proposed proceeding with cardioversion; however, the attending senior physician objected. - Today (Saturday), another clinician has expressed a desire to move forward with cardioversion, having initiated a new medication, as the senior physician is unavailable. - **Communication has been unclear**, as we were notified of developments by a nurse rather than the physician in charge, causing confusion and anxiety. - Currently, only a **chest X-ray** is scheduled, and the TEE remains unaddressed. **My inquiries are as follows:** 1. Is it common for medical professionals to have varying opinions and frequently revise medication or treatment plans like cardioversion? 2. Is it safe to conduct cardioversion in the absence of a TEE? I presumed that this was a standard procedure to exclude the presence of blood clots. 3. Is it usual practice to have only a chest X-ray prior to moving ahead with cardioversion? 4. How typical is it for patients or their families to not be directly informed about treatment changes and learn about them through nursing staff instead? I recognize that this cannot substitute for professional medical advice. I’m simply trying to discern whether these circumstances are typical or if we should express our concerns more assertively with the healthcare facility. Thank you for your insights!
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.