S.A. asks from Norwalk, CT on April 11, 2010
Toxic or Transient Synovitis?
Hi, for the third or fourth time in her life my daughter has had this pain in her leg. It seems to move between the two legs. At the moment I believe it's only in the right leg. One minute this morning she was playing fine and then she yelped in pain and grabbed her thigh and hasn't been able to walk since yesterday morning. Her doctor suggested toxic synovitis. I'm wondering if there are other parents out there who have a child with this diagnosis? It's not disastrous if that's what it is but it's very depressing to see a typically active 2.5 year old who can't walk. Please contact me if you have experience with this or if you think it might be something else. The last time this happened she had an xray (normal), EEG (normal), and was ultimately diagnosed with benign paroxysmal vertigo which I don't believe was correct. Thanks all.
More Answers
J.F. answers from New York on April 12, 2010
I have suffered from leg pains since I was little that has effected my walking ability even to this day and I am 31. It is due to low potassium levels. If my potassium drops to low I suffer from massive leg cramps that can keep me from walking. I need to eat something that contains potassium to help the pain go away. You should have your daughters potassium levels checked. A lot of doctors over look this and it is a simple blood test. Hope this helps and good luck to you.
J.
B.X. answers from Tulsa on April 11, 2010
We're having a similar problem with our 6 year old. An orthopedist drained some fluid off one of the hips and they're running some tests. It went from one leg to the other (pain in knee ended up being from hip on both sides) Our doc is sending us to a rheumatologist for suspected JRA. Maybe that's a possibility.
D.H. answers from Indianapolis on April 11, 2010
I think you should get a second opinion from a completely different doctor. It never hurts to confirm something, with adults or kids.
I hope this all works out for you and she grows out of it. Good luck, I will say a pray for her and you.
J.K. answers from New York on April 12, 2010
My then 3-year-old son had transient synovitis about 8 months ago. After a lot of worrying and a trip to a pediatric orthopedist which included a round of x-rays, it turned out that all he needed was a week of regular doses of Motrin and nothing more. From what I've been told, it's pretty common (although mostly in boys) following a bout with the flu (which he'd had about 3 months prior). The virus from the flu settles in the joints, especially the hip, and the symptoms can show up months later.
Email