Ankle pain in 5 yo

[Katwoman]

I need some suggestions on what to do.

My 5 (almost 6) yo complains intermittently about pain in very bottom of her calf right over the "bendy" part of the ankle. It's only one calf - the right one - and it's always the same one.

* She will complain about it if we are very active, but not always.

* She's started complaining at night right before bed, but not always.

* Now she's complaining when she sits, sometimes.

I've taken her to the naturalpath and she's on supplements that help with growing pains. They've also had her jump to see if it's a tendon problem. It's not. I've measured her shoes and they all "feel comfortable".

I can't decide if I should take her to the MD. What can they do for something that is intermittent? I'm envisioning xrays and MRI's and lots of tests that lead no where. (We experienced that when she was "dribbling" after she was potty trained. Some of the tests were pretty invasive.) But she seems genuinely uncomfortable. Although she's never skipped an activity because of the pain.

I don't know. Any ideas? Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks for your help!

[JessicaS]

I don't understand the location,

about pain in very bottom of her calf right over the "bendy" part of the ankle.

It is in her calf or her ankle? The bendy part??? Is that in front?Is this her shin?

I am sorry

[Katwoman]

Originally Posted by abimommy

I don't understand the location,



It is in her calf or her ankle? The bendy part??? Is that in front?Is this her shin?

I am sorry

Don't be sorry, it's a bit weird to describe. It's right above the bump on either side of her ankle. It hurts all the way around and all the way through.

[CarrieMF]

sounds like an Achilles Tendon problem. If it isn't the AT, there are many ligaments & tendons in the foot that could be causing it. I'd take her into a physiotherapist. I'd also take her into a MD for at least x-rays. They may not show anything, but they may.

[neptunemama]

If she's complaining about it more frequently, I'd take her to an MD to rule out (or in) something more serious. It's probably nothing serious, but it could be. AAM: My younger dd is really active, always jumping around, climbing stuff, leaping off stuff. You get the picture. When she was 4 1/2, she started complaining about her ankle, saying it hurt, then go run around and do all her usual stuff. But kept complaining intermittently. And her activity level never wavered. Finally after a few weeks, I took her to her ped b/c it was odd she still complained. Turns out she had broken her fibula, which is the non-weight bearing bone in her lower leg. Apparently kids can run around w/a break in that bone, though they will usually say their leg hurts.

[Katwoman]

Originally Posted by neptunemama

Turns out she had broken her fibula, which is the non-weight bearing bone in her lower leg. Apparently kids can run around w/a break in that bone, though they will usually say their leg hurts.

HOLY CRAP! Okay, we are totally calling the doctor tomorrow. Thanks!

CarrieMF, do you know if you need a referral to a physiotherapist? My friends DH is a physical therapist, perhaps he will know. Thanks for the suggestion!