Mysterious Toddler Limp
I have had several questions recently about a mysterious limp in toddlers. This limp usually does not seem to be related to injury and there is no bruising, swelling, or soreness. In many cases the mysterious toddler limp will resolve itself in two weeks. If you toddler continues to want to walk and run and shows improvement then there should be no cause for major concern. If the toddler is in good spirits this is also a good sign. If the limp does not improve and is accompanied by fever, grumpiness, or cough and continues to not improve immediately take the toddler to the doctor as this may be a sign of several serious medical conditions.
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Our 17 month old son began limping about 1 month after a sever viral infection (Vomiting, Diarhea) and hospitilization to replenish fluids. We immediately brought him into ER to be evaluated. Very difficult to come to a diagnosis. At it turns out…our son had had a stroke (most likely as a result of the infection)…and the stoke only affected the left leg.
We went from a suspected knee injury (internal bruise) to a toddler fracture, to hip effusion, to a torn miniscus in the knee, to muscular disorder, to reactive arthritis…and finally due to a particularly curious rheumatoid doctor…a quick unscheduled meeting with a neurologist who ordered a ct-scan. The scan picked up the stroke.
As it turns out, our son was quite lucky for having had a stroke…because it only impacted the lower left limb, and was a weakness so subtle that ER doctors and specialists did not suspect a neurological problem at all (good reflexes, good control of arms and hands, symetrical strength). There was just a slight weakness in the left leg…enough to keep our son from bearing full weight on it…and enough neurological damage to have him keeping his leg locked and straight while walking or sometimes when getting up or sitting down.
Our son still limps now at 19 months old (2+ months after the event)…however is slowly improving, and will hopefully gain full recovery through physio, play, and time.
Comment by Keith Moon :: June 18, 2008 @ 4:03 pmKeith,
Thank you for sharing your story. My heart and my prayers go out to you. It is definitely an indication that the limp began after the viral infection. I understand the uncertainty and the worry that you must have gone through. I am glad your sun is improving and hopefully he will make a full recovery.
Comment by FamilyHelpTree :: June 20, 2008 @ 9:47 pmI have a 3 year old daughter. She has been having fevers for no reason at all at least 3 times a week for the pastyear and a half . This time around she got worse now she is been limping for a week . I took her to the ER beause that never happend to her before .The doctors thought that it was a virus or (toxic sinovitis) they did a lot of blood test on her and xrays they came out normal. I am very concern because she is not getting any better she is not able to run or do things like she used to. Tomorrow i have to take her again to the hospital to get an MRI done to see if they can come up with a diagnosis. i am very frustrated as a parent because i been telling my pediatrician that there is something wrong with my daughter and all i hear is that it is normal for a child her age to get alot of fevers.I just will like for doctors to start looking outside the box and not just say this behaivior is normal as a parent you know your children and you know that there is something wrong.
Comment by Yolanda :: June 16, 2009 @ 2:11 amYolanda, we experienced the fevers with our youngest daughter (she has a twin brother). She would get these very high fevers once a month and there was nothing wrong with her. I was doing research on her brother who has had the worst constipation for over a year and found out that for some kids who have intollerances to dairy will have these unexplained fevers. My son is not able to eat dairy, soy or gluten (fun to find things for that). We took our daughter off of dairy in Feb and she has not had a fever since then. I took her off of soy and dairy since the intolerance can be to both. She drank rice milk and I made sure to supplement with other foods that have calcium and D in them. 5 months and fever free. I found this site and your comment because my son started limping two days ago, a small fever at the onset, no falls/injuries, not a very big appitite and very crabby. So hopefully we can both find some answers but if you have a chance, look up the dairy/fever connection. If she is over a year try taking the dairy away and see what happens. It’s not an allergy and if you had her tested for allergies chances are she will be negative but it definitely worked for our daughter. Good luck!!
Comment by Jennifer :: June 29, 2009 @ 3:50 amOur 24 month old recently recovered from a week long viral infection with high temperature etc. It has been approximateloy two weeks and he has got a limp in his left leg. We are very concerned. Took him to Emergency and doctor said it was probably the result of muscle strain. i highly doubt this as the limp comes and goes.Should i request a Ct scan?? Extremely worried.
Comment by Faisal :: February 23, 2010 @ 1:08 am@Faisal
In our case the limp resolved after 4 weeks. Talk it over with your doctor. Please also note that Ct scans and other types of long/complicated scans can be traumatic for children.
Disclaimer: we are not qualified to give medical advise.
Comment by FamilyHelpTree :: February 23, 2010 @ 11:08 pm