A week and a half ago, my daughter started limping a little bit. By that next morning, he knee was swollen and she was not walking on her right leg at all. We went to the ER where they did X-rays that revealed nothing. They did blood work that had normal white blood counts. We went to an orthopedic doctor last week to request an MRI on her, but he said it was unneccessary and told us to come back in a week. We went back yesterday and her knee is still swollen and she is still limping, if she even walks. She has reverted back to crawling some of the time. The orthopedic doctor re did the X-rays, which still reveal nothing. We had the blood work redone as well, we are waiting to hear back from that. The doctor scheduled a bone scan for her on Friday. My concern is that the doctor does not know what is wrong with her. I don't know why he won't do an MRI just to make sure that there is nothing torn or pulled in her knee. Please give me some advice or help or whatever. :)
2007-05-22 05:33:54 · 20 answers · asked by Ash 3 in Health ➔ Other - Health
To jmminnc:
that is what they keep saying, but anna has not had a cold in months. she was teething a while ago, but there was no fever or anything. they thought at first it was an infection, but they said yesterday that the swelling should be gone by now.
2007-05-22 05:53:30 · update #1
I think a MRI would be more useful in an adult. Let's consider the long differential of a swollen knee. Swelling due to trauma usually resolves with rest. An infection is usually accompanied by high fever. (There are exceptions) Rheumatic fever is uncommon under the age two, and usually more than one joint is involved. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis may present with a single inflamed joint. Unfortunately, there are no definitive lab tests to diagnose this at an early stage. Less commonly other collagen-vascular diseases like lupus and dermatomyositis can cause this. Other conditions include sickle cell disease, Lyme disease, and even leukemia. There is a long list of less common conditions in the differential.
Understandably you want a second opinion. Perhaps it should be with a pediatric rheumatologist if one is available near you. Otherwise a pediatric orthopedist. Contrary to other responders, I wouldn't pound my fist demanding a MRI.
2007-05-22 08:53:33 · answer #1 · answered by greydoc6 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to another doctor and get more opinions. 3yrs ago In December I had taken a shower and went outside right away. I felt my face different and one eye watery. my face was getting crooked and hurted . that same day I went to a doctor and he and a student said it was allergies. I didn't believe it he gave me pills. After 3 days the problem was the same so i went to the hospital and I was told I had facial paralysis. I got therapy and medication good thing it went away after 4months. Cuz I was told some people have it for a Long time sometimes years. also for one of my daughters I saw 4different pediatrics cuz she had breathing problems and all they said was that she was OK. Nothing wrong with her until my sister recommend me a doctor and she told me that my daughter has asthma. She had many asthma attacks (bad ones) and the other doctors never said anything about it. My point is that you should look for a good doctor because most doctors don't like to do things that will cost the insurance alot of money.
2007-05-22 13:27:58 · answer #2 · answered by lupe s 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the swelling isn't gone- and there was absolutely no reason for it to occur in the first place- see a different doctor. I find the attitude of that one doc who didn't want to perform a test disturbing.
I have a very young nephew who had health problems most of his little life- and by the time an x-ray tech spotted the tumor that was causing most of them, it was about the size of a softball- very large for a 3 year old. Unfortunately, many of the physicians his momma tried to deal with were arrogant twits, and it wasn't until this tech got a look that anyone really came to his senses.
2007-05-22 13:00:03 · answer #3 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are no 100% guaranteed science when it comes to the human body. Also Insurance companies now usually mandate what procedures have to be done first in order for them to authorize payment of the bill.
Therefore; Ask the Doctor straight up why he doesn't do an MRI, that you are tired of playing with this situation, for it is costing you money and your nerves playing the waiting game and the many trips involved in awaiting his/her diagnosis. You do already have a significant amount of time and money tied up with this Doctor already. Remind yourself that the Doctor is working for you, not the other way around.
If you then don't receive an appropriate answer, get another Doctor.
2007-05-22 12:44:23 · answer #4 · answered by jandl 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi:
You are right, the MD does not know what is wrong with your daughter but that is why all these procedures are called "tests". They are testing her to find the cause of her problem.
If you are that concerned and worried that the MD does not have a clue as to what he is doing, then switch until you find a MD that you are comfortabale with.
It's your daughter's health, your in control and you are the boss.
As a Mom you have a natural "Gut Instinct" about your children. I have to say in the 20 yrs I have been a Mom my gut tells on thing and the brain tells another. The times I followed the logical brain, many times I was wrong but each time I followed my gut, I was always right.
I will say a prayer for your daughter.
Take care
2007-05-22 12:41:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are gettting a bone scan on Friday so I am not sure why you think you need an MRI too. The bone scan will show what is going on inside the knee/leg and provide clues for the doc to go on. Have the bone scan done and THEN proceed from there. For now try to get a grip on this and let the doc do the bone scan first and see what that shows.
2007-05-22 12:39:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Get a second opinion immediately! This is your daughter and an ER is not the place to have decent follow up. Go to a pediatrician and have him/her look at your daughter and refer you to the appropriate specialist. You may need to see a rheumatoid arthritis specialist since they deal with these strange types of conditions. Your daughter is too important so get on the phone and start making calls. No one on Yahoo! can answer this type of question better than a doctor. Good luck.
2007-05-22 12:40:36 · answer #7 · answered by Sirius User 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would bet it is a infection in the child's knee joint.
I have seen it allot. Was she sick just a short time ago. It could have been a cold. That happens is that the bug gets seeded in the joint and the blood work will show nothing. The joint must be tapped and the fluid sent to the lad. If it is infected the joint must be opened and washed out.
There will be no fever because just the joint has the bug. Drugs will not help because it is seeded in the joint.
2007-05-22 12:48:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Two year olds are tricky little people, and will do all sorts of things, there is no doubt that her knee is physical however determining how much pain she is going through is another. For the moment you can really only go along with the Doctor and try not to make too much of it in front of your daughter. I'm sorry this doesn't really help, and I hope that it all goes okay I'm sure it will.
2007-05-22 12:41:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
He may have some vague idea of what it is ~ but trying to rule things out ~ Be patient ~ You can always get a second opinion ~ Its tough as a parent to watch when a child is being evaluated and the waiting is long... Have the scan if there are still no answers - get a referral from friends and family for someone in your area
2007-05-22 12:38:22 · answer #10 · answered by Drinda C 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋