5 Year Old Son Cant Run

Sometimes viruses can settle into the hip joints. I would suspect that is what they are waiting to see, if this is something that will resolve on its own. One friend had that happen and in a month, her son was back to normal. Another friend had it happen and her daughter was completely paralyzed from the chest down for almost a year as the virus attacked her spine. I would insist on a more proactive approach by the doctors.

Well, if he's limping and has hurt his leg, I would take it easy on the running for a while. Maybe that's what he needs - some rest?

If he doesn't give it a chance to heal, it will take longer. No matter what he's done to it.

If the doctor's don't feel it's a break or anything (otherwise they would have done x-rays which you haven't mentioned) then I would let it go for the 2 weeks.

If he was crying or in pain or the area was inflamed or sore to the touch, etc. then I'd have him back in an instant.

When they say Keep an Eye on It they basically mean make sure it doesn't get worse. But if it's not better in 2 weeks, I am sure they will order more tests.

Good luck :)

*If you don't feel the doctor(s) did an adequate job of diagnosing or examining your son, then go back.

You have 2 choices. 1) Accept that he fell while hopping, and assume that he bruised something and it hurts. He's favoring it by limping. He didn't tell you about it (which sometimes kids don't do if they are growing up and don't want Mom to overreact, and sometimes they don't if they were doing something else they shouldn't have been doing and don't want you to know). 2) Decide that your doctors did insufficient work, and see a specialist for another opinion, which could involve more tests (X-rays, MRI, etc.).

In neither case is worrying and being hurt an option. It doesn't help. In fact, is it at all possible that you are such a worrier that you don didn't tell you the whole story for fear of you overreacting? I ask this because I had a head injury as a child, sustained when I was riding my brother's bike. Because he had such a violent temper and because my parents were big punishers and poor listeners, I didn't tell anyone. I had a serious concussion but hid it, for fear of the anger and punishment. Dumb, I know. But I wasn't thinking straight because I had a head injury - vicious cycle.

What you can do to help your son is let him - and force him to - rest! He's trying to run, and he's re-injuring or straining something that already hurts! He's got inflammation in the hip or wherever the injury occurred, and it's not going to heal if he doesn't take it easy.

So decide if you are going to insist on him sitting more with his leg elevated and perhaps some ice on the hip area, or if you are going to go over the head of your doctors (which is okay) and get a second opinion as Doris Day recommends below.

Xray? MRI? Did the doctors recommend either of these things? Did they manipulate his hip? If not, get him into a pediatric orthopedist. I don't know if you're anywhere near a children's hospital (I looked up Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte NC - maybe they have a ped orthopedist) but if you are within driving distance, take him there.

Since this is not bothering your son try to not feel so hurt. I would be a bit anxious. At the same time I would trust the doctor that this is nothing urgent. As much as we'd like life to be perfect for our children we cannot make it so.

If your son is still fighting to carry on as normal, then it isn't super bad, but what you need to do is prevent him from trying. He should not be exerting himself right now. This is a great time to break out the tv and video games. Keep him sedentary for a week or two so that his body has time to heal from what is likely a bruise or sprain. If he still can't manage after the downtime, take him back the the doctor as they have suggested you do.

If it gets worse, ask if they'll call in a referral for an xray. In the meantime, make him rest when he is home and write a note to get him to sit out gym class. What will not be helpful is fretting over him. Kids hurt themselves. Sometimes break things. It happens. Give him a hug but don't let him milk it.

If you want a more proactive reaction from your doctor, you will have to call and tell them the pain has increased to the point that it is interfering with his life and you would like further testing. They will likely send you for and x-ray or MRI if they have not yet, or send you to a specialist.

If you are OK waiting the two weeks to see if he gets better, then just check in with him occasionally, preferably by observing him walking or moving in other ways, because kiddos sometimes don't have a good grip on their own pain or healing process.

Hope he gets better soon!

If he fell, he could have pushed something out of place a little bit. Their bones are still pretty pliable. You might want to consider a chiropractor. I found they can really work miracles with my kids.

here's the deal:
at age 6, my son was dx'd with Perthes Disease....which occurs in the hip joint after a fall/injury/or even just inflammation from a fever.

Since this is at the 2 week mark, please insist on an xray...preferably with a pediatric orthopedist. I am not being an alarmist....simply a Mom who's lived 21 years dealing with this issue with a beloved son.

I wish you Good News!!