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The*Big*Lebowski

The*Big*Lebowski

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This probably doesn't need it's own thread, but I don't really want to hijack another and am really eager to find out if anyone has had any experience with this type of thing. I am gonna try and not ramble and just sum it up as easily as I can.

My son is 6 years old and has a problem where his wrist seemingly dislocates (the doc says it's actually at his elbow, but it feels liek the wrist when it happens). When it happens, his entire forearm hurts and he has ZERO strength to grip anything. It only feels better if he squeezes his own arm and keeps it elevated and bent. If you straighten it out, it hurts him like hell.

It first happened in early '02 when he was about 9 months old or so. He was doing the time tested little kid maneuver where he is trying to get away from you are holding his hand to the point where if you actually let go he's gonna fall flat on his face. I felt a slight pop and after that he was very whiny and had no strength in his right hand to grip anything. We took him to the ER then and while we were waiting it must have popped back in because, just like that, he was perfectly fine. Happy and playing again and able to squeeze my hand with admirable force. We wound up leaving the ER that night without being seen.

Since then, this has happened to him 3 more times, the most recent and worst of all being Monday night. Each time he has been doing whatever little boys do, nothing unusual. Once it was when he rolled over on it awkwardly. Since we had brought this up to the docs, they showed us how to pop it back in ourselves. I have done this twice.

Monday he was just sitting there on his hands and when he pulled them out from under himself, it popped out. The poor kid was in absolute agony like I have never seen before. Heartbreaking. This time, I was unable to get it to pop back in myself, so off to the ER. Again though, while we waited behind 20 illegals with the sniffles, it "fixed itself" and he was fine, so we left.

We took him to his doctor (we have since changed doctors from the last time he was seen for this). The doc says it could be a degenerative thing and that it is not uncommon. I say BS. It may not be uncommon, but it most certainly isn't normal. I insisted that he get X-rays just to be certain and the doc complies. Of course, everything is "normal" on his X-ray. I tell him I am concerned because he is a very active child and he is very aware of his "problem" and doesn't want anyone grabbing him by his hands. He plays baseball, soccer, and takes karate. He will be playing Pop warner next year.

I don't want this to be something that he worries about. He is 6 FFS. He shouldn't worry about anything! The doc says he will "most likely" outgrow it and that his activity will strengthen it over time.

I guess my question(s) are:
1). Has anyone ever had any experience with this type of thing? Either themselves or with their child?

2). Should I be seeking a second opinion or seeing a specialist of some sort (Orthopedic?)? I don't even know where to start.

I just want my son to be well. It kills me to see him suffering when it does happen. And the guilt I feel since it was ME that originally pulled it out when he was so small isn't much fun either. Any help/advice is welcomed by Mrs. L and myself.
 
I never heard of it, but the more opinions, the better. I think your second idea is a good one, see an orthopedic surgeon.
 
I have loose joints.

When I separated my shoulder in 2000 I went to the doctor and they did a 'dislocation' test and successfully dislocated my bum shoulder.

The doctor said "Well, I feel a separation, but you also have a dislocation."

He paused while wiggling my arm around and asked "Wait, that doesn't hurt?"

I said no. I didn't feel anything.

He went to my other shoulder, the uninjured one, and dislocated it. He seemed surprised "That does not hurt either??"

I was confused. It didn't hurt at all. He popped each shoulder back into place and then proceeded to dislocate other parts of my body. My fingers, my wrist, my elbow. None of them hurt and they all slid back into place.

He told me that I might have Marfans Syndrome, but that it'd require further testing. I never went back for the testing.

Since then my joints sometimes pop out of place and back into place and they produce a weird numbing sensation when they do.

Sometimes there is a slight pain when the pop occurs, but never major pain. The numbness is the only major thing and it goes away.

I'm still kickin' at 27, so I guess it's not fatal.

I read up on Marfans after they told me all of this and at the time there wasn't really much they could do about it. I take Glucosamine & Chondroitin to try and avoid arthritis later in life. And the pills do help with the joints being quite so loose.

It may or may not be a similar thing that your son has. I have no clue. Just wanted to share my experience.

Good luck and update the thread when you find something out.
 
always get a second opinion, you don't want this to pop out in a slide to home, throwing a punch in Karate or making a tackle.

what is the worst you will hear, he is fine and the 1st DR was correct

at his age always check it out twice, or more if it continues
 
Dude,

I've never heard of that problem either but I agree with UT 100% a 2nd opinion from an Orthopedic surgeon is what I'd opt for.

Good luck, all the best to little dude!
 
Hey TBL. I'm not a doctor but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

A firend of mine has a daughter that happened to around the same ages as your boy. Her shoulder kept dislocating and they kept bringing her to the hospital. The first 3 or 4 times they would interview, interrogate and question the kid extensively about it as to be sure that there was no abuse.

Eventually they dug deeper and said she would be fine as she grew up and her bones, joints, etc, grew bigger....which happened eventually.

Sorry to hear that it must kill you inside.
 
A couple thoughts:

1) Doctors only see people with problems so that's why this might be common to him, but it's certainly not common to the general population.

2) Get several opinions, from specialists.
 
For peace of mind, I agree with others. An opinion from an Orthopedist specialist is a must. While the pediatrician may be correct, they are generalists. An orthopedist has more detailed training and knowledge of bones and joints.
 
I'm no expert but I agree the more opinions the better, especially at such a young age.
 
Weird...

Is there cartilage in a wrist? Sounds like it may be a cartilage thing.

I agree though get a few opinions. Think this may require surgery to fix unfortunately.
 
A good friend of mine had a problem with his knees where the kneecaps would dislocate. The initial problem was a result of a indoor soccer injury when we were teenagers.

As he grew older he found that the kneecap became easier and easier to dislocate.

Like everyone before me said, I would have an orthopedic surgeon look at it, because my understanding was the more joints dislocate, the easier it is for them to do it the next time.
 
That is certainly true jaric, when you are older and finished growing. I can dislocate one of my shoulders at will, but it hurts like hell for a week afterwards so I try and not do that too much.

From what I understand though, kids joints will strengthen as they grow up. A least, that was what the doc was trying to tell me. Although he did admit that it is all probably a result of that first time.

hence, my tremendous guilt.
 
We had a very similar experience with my 2 1/2 year old daughter about a year ago. I went to pick her up out of her high chair and grabbed her the wrong way and dislocated her at the elbow.

I had no idea what exactly had happened but I knew from her reaction that something was immediately wrong. And I had to call my wife and tell her to come home so we could head to the ER.

The ER doctor reassured me that it was a common thing and happens all of the time but I felt guilty as hell. By the time the doc got to see her though, it had already popped back into place on it's own and there's my kid running around the ER terrorizing poor folks.

Anyway the doc confirmed pretty much what you have been told. It happens quite a bit with toddlers but they eventually outgrow it. He also said once it happens once, it could happen more frequently. And he too showed us how to pop it back into place.

Thankfully we have not needed to but we have been very careful ever since. I get freaked out now every time I see someone pick her up by her arms rather than under the arms.

Second opionions never hurt but I thought I would share my experience with you. Good luck.
 
Don't feel guilty, TBL. While I have no experience with this, I do know that things like this happen sometimes, and it's no one's fault. Like others have said, just continue keeping an eye on it, get more opinions (from specialists), and I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
 
Thanks cka. And PFDan, your post has by far been the most reassuring so far....Not that I am happy you had this happen also, but it does make me feel a bit better knowing I am not the only one.

So a second opinion is forthcoming. Thank you all for your thoughts. I'll update you all once I see an OS.
 
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