Suggest Treatment For Arthritis In A Child

Posted on Sun, 30 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 30 Aug 2015 Answered on

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi , my dayghter XXXXXXX got well after infection but today started limping badly out of the blue. No fever, no pain nor sickness, eating sleeping well. A doc here said it is mono arthritis (without proper tests or anything!) prescribed ibuprofen and probiotics, will go away in 3 days ! Reading up on it, I'm really worried how serious this is and if it grants a panic / quick flight straight home? Is this common?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get opinion from another doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello

I understand your concern.
In arthritis there should be pain and swelling along with limping.
In present condition where there is sudden onset of weakness in lower limb without any pain and swelling in joint,I would like to get her clinically examined to rule out any neurological deficit.There are few neurological condition(like acute motor axonal neuropathy) where weakness can appear during/after recovery from viral illness.
Also I would like to get serum potassium level done as hypokalemia can also cause weakness.
So I would suggest you to reevaluation by your physician or get opinion from a different doctor.

Please let me know if you have any more query.
Wishing for your child's speedy recovery.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)

Thank you so much doctor, I only now found a fairly large (4-6cm) bruise on her leg (the inner aide slightly above the joint) and it is mow very visible (blue). I think this was due to a recent fall, and likely causing the limping ... Is that likely the case, or i should have it examined urgently ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
This weakness is most probably due to the injury

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for follow up
In presence of significant history of injury and bruise,it is the more likely cause of limping.I suggested you to visit a physician for clinical evaluation as you didn't mention this history earlier.
I would like to continue giving analgesic and observe for any worsening or improvement in symptom.
In case the weakness or swelling progresses consult your physician.

Wishing for your child's good health.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar