MAG Headed to doc, but any ideas?

[rosiekat]

I'm trying to get a headstart because we're headed out of the country for a week in 48 hours, so my time frame is short!

Last night after gym, DS (7 y.o.) complained that left wrist was sore. This morning we were at camp and he was brought to me almost crying, with his right inner forearm was hurting. I could barely put pressure on it and he'd wince. That kind of went away, and now he's complaining of both forearms hurting severely - and again, I can't put pressure on them at all. It's pretty clearly the soft tissues hurting. No evident bruising, no known traumas. Arms do look a little swollen but nothing dramatic. He had practice last night but nothing I'd consider unusual except maybe more tumbling and more mushroom, but entire practice is only 2 hours and he's been on this practice schedule for a year with no problems.

We're headed to after-hours pediatrician now, but they probably won't have a huge clue. And we don't (yet) have a better place to start than that - but wondering if y'all have any ideas to perhaps get us headed in the right direction with as little delay as possible. Thanks in advance!

 

[skschlag]

Ihope you got some answers!! Keep us posted

 

[rosiekat]

So got x-rays and the pediatrician on duty seemed familiar with gymnasts and their physical development. He thinks it's growth plate injury or irritation, for lack of a better word. His preliminary review of the x-rays was clear, but he said radiologist will review tomorrow. No gym for at least a week and until pain free 3 days, ibuprofen for 3-4 days, if still hurting in a week or if it begins again after return to gym, we have a pediatric Ortho referral. Fingers crossed that visit doesn't happen (well, at least not this time around!).

 

[skschlag]

Poor guy! At least you have this holiday weekend to rest!

 

[rosiekat]

Thanks! He was really annoyed to have to miss gym today, but I told him if we want to see if his coach wants him to do some leg conditioning, I'm OK with that. The good news is that he was already going to be out of the gym next week for family vacation, so if this is something that just rest will heal, he'll be happy doing other things and not missing the gym that much.

 

[profmom]

Make the appointment with the pediatric ortho sooner rather than later. If it's a soft tissue injury, an X ray will not produce a good diagnosis. I'd say if the X rays turn up clean but the pain comes back when he is back next week, get him in to an orthopedist directly; an ortho will probably order an MRI.

 

[gracyomalley]

NOT giving medical advice here, but boys get forearm splints from "too much" (big increase) in pommel/mushroom work...and that is more pain in the forearms with some wrist pain, and can come on faster, whereas the growth plate issues are more subtle and in the wrist "usually"...My oldest had them for a while, there are ways to tape and rest really helps...

however, at that age it is always best to assume the worst with anything even NEAR growth plates - I have a patient who damaged her's at gym around age 7 (inexperienced coach...long story) and as a teen still has pain and abnormal xrays (out of gym years ago)....so....clear the bones then deal with the overuse issue if that's what it is. Good luck...

 

[rosiekat]

NOT giving medical advice here, but boys get forearm splints from "too much" (big increase) in pommel/mushroom work...and that is more pain in the forearms with some wrist pain, and can come on faster, whereas the growth plate issues are more subtle and in the wrist "usually"...My oldest had them for a while, there are ways to tape and rest really helps...

This actually "feels" more right to my gut - although I'm not a medical professional I do happen to have a fair amount of medical knowledge, and this also sounds like it better describes his pain. Since he's going to be resting from the gym for the next week anyway, we'll see how he's doing when he comes back. He is pulling that "but I don't want to miss gym, it's my life!" stuff, so I'm having to explain that if he *wants* it to be his life, then it's even more important to take care of little injuries so they don't become big ones. But when you're 7, a 15-year-old is practically ancient...And yeah, I'm totally on board with getting him to the ortho ASAP if he isn't fine soon. Thanks for your input, folks - and any other thoughts are welcome, too!

 

[MeetDirector]

And, don't forget to have him ice the forearms. One of the best treatments for overuse is rest and ice (and stretching when he can manage it).