Toddler suddenly not walking at 22 months?

My best friend's daughter woke up from her nap and was not walking. This is a child who runs and is in constant motion. She moves her legs when laying down and was bouncing on her knees, but when you stand her up to walk she just collapses and crawls. Anyone have any experience with this? they went to ER and gave her motrin thinking she could be inflammed from an old viral infection, but she woke up again doing it this morning. They are going to an orthopedist this afternoon. I thought I remember seeing an old post about this happening to someone else who's child suddenly stopped walking after a vaccine, but now I can't find it. She had Hep A a few weeks ago. Any input would be great.

Toddler suddenly not walking at 22 months?

Here's the post you are looking for - http://www.lifamilies.com/chat/topic.aspx?ID=630321&Highlight=walking+and+vaccine (sorry I can't direct link from my phone) it was the day after a dtap vaccine.

On the 3rd page MikesWife writes " DD woke up in August and all of a sudden was not able to put any pressure on her legs. It hurt her, she would just sit down and cry. I had no idea what was going on. I took her to the ER. They gave her Motrin, took X-rays (the worst hour of my life). By the time the dr came back to tell us about the x-rays, the Motrin kicked in and she could apply pressure. She was diagnosed with transient synovitis. Basically a cold that infects the hip, which caused her to not be able to walk. I kept her on motrin for a few days and in time it healed on its own."

Whatever it is I hope she's better soon!!!

Eta: did they give her the shot in her arm or leg??

Message edited 7/31/2012 12:41:31 PM.

Re: Toddler suddenly not walking at 22 months?

Re: Toddler suddenly not walking at 22 months?

This happened to DH's coworker and it turned out to be a viral infection of the brain. It took several weeks to go away, but she did eventually get back to normal. It was scary though.

Re: Toddler suddenly not walking at 22 months?

If the orthopedist does not say anything conclusive, I would recommend that they also take the child to a neurologist.

Re: Toddler suddenly not walking at 22 months?

I would tell them to go to a neurologist. Hopefully it's not the case, but God forbid it was a brain tumor. That's one of the symptoms. I'm not trying to be an alarmist, but my nephew had a brain tumor. He's fine now, but if that were my friend, I would mention going to a neurologist.

Re: Toddler suddenly not walking at 22 months?

Please have your friend take her child for bloodwork if it does not fix itself soon. My mom had this issue with me (although it was more gradual over a few days) around 14 mos. Docs said no biggie, but my mom knew something was up. She finally learned that I had osteomyelitis. Three surgeries & 2 blood transfusions & 2 bone marrow transfusions later, I was okay (and luckily, my legs grew regularly). BUT, had my mom not stayed on top of finding a reason behind this, the inflammation would've traveled to my organs and I would've died or, at the very least, lost my leg. Don't let it sit if it doesn't go away... please... for the child's sake.

Re: Toddler suddenly not walking at 22 months?

I'm sure she's been to their pediatrician.

There's lots of things that could cause this... but the ped should be calling all the people she/he knows for emergency consultations to rule things out.

My son refused to walk just yesterday after getting out of the car. He's almost 2... when I told him to walk, he limped terribly. He then looked at me and told me "rock boom boom". Had a rock in his shoe. My point is... it could be anything.

Let the professionals take care of it!

Re: Toddler suddenly not walking at 22 months?

This happened to someone I know, the child had Lyme's disease.

Message edited 7/31/2012 3:53:55 PM.