On April 9th Dave took Luke to the Pediatric Orthopedic. This was a referral from our Pediatrician from the March 9th visit. Here is how it went:
The doctor examined Luke's legs and noticed that it looks like his left femur is slightly longer than his right. We need to take Luke back on May 5th to have multiple "hip to toe" x-rays done. Luke will need to be very cooperative for him to be able to get enough pictures to know exactly what is wrong with Luke's legs and how much longer it is.
The doctor mentioned a "worst case scenario" but we won't go into those details until the results are back to even see if it needs to be addressed. Currently, it looks like Luke's left leg is 1/2 inch longer than his right one. This 1/2 inch difference will *most likely* never be less but may grow to 1.25 inches upon full adult height (according to the doctor's "chart").
The doctor feels a slight "lift" in his shoe will correct things for now and that Luke will probably have no current restrictions. Future treatment include:
- slowing growth of opposite leg between ages 12-14 (reducing his adult height)
- bone lengthening (very painful and not really an option)
- shoe lifts
- nothing (if the difference is less than 3/4 of an inch - nothing is done - the body compensates)
Dave is handling this well. I am sad, upset, and angry at myself for being sad. I feel that in the grand scheme of things - it isn't *too* big of a deal but Luke is my only son and it is killing me that he isn't "perfect." Watching him limp breaks my heart. He doesn't seem to notice, it doesn't slow him down, he still climbs better then many kids his age, and he picks himself up each time he falls. Some people don't even notice until I point it out. But I sometimes have to look away when he falls while running, clearly because of this issue. . . so no one sees me cry.
We will keep you posted (it is a LONG time until his next appointment).
3 comments:
Hey, Jay just reminded me that one of the kids on the lax team he coached "Whitie" had the same thing. His back would get sore if he didn't wear his lift, but he was a sick lax player and was a two time National Champion and a 2 time NCAA All-American and 2 time long stick middie of the year! : )
Oh, Erin. I'm sorry. I know it's not easy to watch him struggle. I am certain he's determined enough to accomplish anything he desires regardless of barriers.
Thank you for your positive comments!! Reading your support made my eyes tear up! Thank you!