My 3 year old is having knee pain? Anyone have any ideas.?

Question

I have thought it was growing pains but I am not too sure about that anymore. All the articles I have read about growing pains say that the child feels better with massage and that the child doesn't limp. My son screams more when I try to rub the knee and he has actually callapsed to the floor because he couldn't stand the pain. He has been limping for a couple of days now. He doesn't have any bruises and he says he never fell or banged it, that it just hurts. His doctor is on holidays of course. I will be bringing him in to see his doctor next week, but until then anyone have any ideas?

To all of you who mentioned ER, thanks, but where I live we have a doctor shortage and it is mostly a waste of time to be there. I have taken my son there when his hands and feet turned blue from an asthma attack and was told that he was fine as long as his tongue and gums weren't blue. I don't have a lot of confidence in the er here. That is why I asked if the pain he is having is common with others who have children with growing pains or have had growing pains themselves. Thank-you for those who had different ideas and I think I will bring him to the er anyway just to see about getting some x-rays done just in case. Oh, and to those of you who don't have anything consructive or helpful to say ...why are you even responding? Your ignorance isn't helpful to anyone!!

Answer 1

As a child the same thing happened to me. My Dad refused to accept that it was growing pains and at the age of four (my limping started at three) my Dad finally got a second opinion. Now I am in no way saying this is what your son has but maybe you should mention it to your Doc as a possible concern. It turned out I had PERTHES Disease. The actual condition was in my hip but apparently children suffer from what they call reffered pain ...I.E they get it in one place but the condition is actually in another. All my pain was in my knee. Perthes disease is only bad if left untreated.Like I said im not saying its this but reading what you put reminded me of my own personal situation. Its more common in boys and affects about 1 in 20'000. Its easy to diagnose by something thay call a flamingo X-Ray. My son also had something called Synovitus in his hip when he was around four, he couldnt weight bear at all. In fact he found it painful. This condition can lead to Perthes disease. Its where the fluid around the hip becomes infected.I took my son to Casualty and they admitted him for the night, he had anti-biotics and was fine!!! Goodluck and I have by no means meant to worry you but its best to be armed with a few possibilities.just one thing though...a lot of Docs still dont know much about Perthes disease so dont be surprised if your doc looks at you like you are crazy!! Theres plenty of info on the web so check it out and see if any of the symptoms are the same with you little un'.

Answer 2

It is probably ok, but if it is causing constant and irritating pain for the child i would recommend seeing a different doctor. If it is tolerable, then perhaps wait til your doctor comes back - that call is pretty much yours. It could be something a little more serious, say Osgood-Schlatters disease (which is an inflammatory condition that affects children and athletes), although i don't know if this occurs in children this young. Just to be sure, though, from what you describe I think maybe that although the emrgency room is a little reactionary, maybe a different pediatrician is not a bad idea.

Answer 3

growing pains don't only happen in teenage years. they happen mostly from the ages 3-5 then 8-12. that probably is all it is. try some motrin or tylenol. forget massage. some people (myself included) are very sensitive to massage and find it more pain full then anything at times. if the pain is really bad you should take him to the ER. they will probably run some x-rays to set your mind at ease. keep the appointment with his pediatrician an way. they have a different point of view from the ER doctors sometimes.

Answer 4

If it's serious enough that it's causing him to limp or fall down, I'd get him to an emergency room and forget the idea of waiting a week for your doctor

Edit: For the idiot below me who thinks he's a pediatriation, growing pains are the stretching pains a child gets when the bones in their legs are growing .. common between the ages of 2 and 6. Gawd I hope you don't have children.

Answer 5

Have & CT or xray done! My son experienced excrutiating calf & knee pain intermittently between 2-3 years & sometimes these episodes would last a few months. We have had all tests done & basically it has been concluded that they are just 'growing pains'. You must get this followed up thoroughly & if your normal Dr won't do it, ask another. Best of luck.

Answer 6

I remember a special story on TV back about a year ago... I don't remember the exact disease the knee pain represented, but it was serious and was ushually the first clue. I would take him to a doctor and if he is unsure, a specialist to rule out anything serious.
Good lUck

Answer 7

Yeah I have to agree! DOCTOR TIME!! My kids had growing pains but there could be something in the joint messed up and you would never know it. Kids are hard on their bodies and even though their bones are not as brittle as ours they can really do damage sometimes. Even rubber can get broken and torn.

Answer 8

Could be deferred pain from Perthes (a hip problem). If you do have him x-rayed, you could ask for a thing to cover his willy to keep out the x-rays as you may have to have it done a few times and it would keep the exposure to a minimum

Answer 9

Phone NHS Direct and ask their advice.
Actually, this could be quite serious. My grandson walked around with a broken leg for a day before they took him to the doctor.

Answer 10

My nephew has recently suffered the same sort of pains and after many tests they discovered that he has Arthritis and now has to undergo physiotherapy.
Take him to the Dr's and demand tests if u have to!
Goodluck, would love to know how u get on... after all they r worth it and do deserve an active childhood!