Crack

Last week was a tough week on Christian. He was (and still is) teething with multiple teeth, including molars. This caused more drool, more secretions, and more runny noses. But, in true form, Christian took it like a champ without too much complaining. We cancelled all of our appointments for the week just to give him extra resting time.

Then there was Wednesday.

On Wednesday night, I was stretching Christian out as we do every night. In a sitting position, Christian does really well. His hips aren't really that tight at all. He's able to sit upright with support with very little tightness or resistance and he tolerates it for a while. It's his knees and legs that are tight. However, when he's in a sitting position, his legs loosen up and he can sit cross legged and with knees side lying to both sides.

As I was stretching him out, I had him in a sitting position with his back against me. I grabbed his right leg and pulled it in at the knee. No resistance, just a little tight but no where near as tight as it's been before. Then I hear....a crack.

It was so scary. I laid him down to see his reaction and his face turned red and he started crying. For the next hour I observed his knee to see if there were any changes. Nothing. No redness, no swelling. I put him to bed and he slept like he normally does. The only thing different is that his right leg was no longer tight in comparison to his left leg. It laid in relaxation like a regular leg, even bending at the knee. I considered taking him to urgent care, but wasn't sold on that idea due to his cold and exposing him to yucky things. And there were not physically visible signs of injury, otherwise I'd have taken him in a heartbeat.

When he woke up the next morning I noticed his right leg was really sensitive. He cried if it was moved or during diaper changing. It still looked no different, no redness or swelling. But it was obvious that he was really bothered by it. We cancelled OT on Wednesday, but asked the OT about it. She wasn't terribly concerned, but told us to ask our PT that comes to the house to look at it. Friday our PT came over and examined his legs. She didn't notice any leg longer than the other, signifying dislocation. No changes in the knee, but the reaction seemed to come from rotating his leg in his hip. She suggested x-rays immediately. So we got x-rays Friday.

Christian's pediatrician called on Saturday morning and said the conclusion to the x-rays according to the radiologist was "Probable Dislocation in both legs." I ask, "Both legs?" and "What does probable mean?" Apparently there was a note that the angle of the x-ray was not a common angle. In other words, because of an abnormal x-ray, it needs further review, another x-ray, or an ultrasound.

I have different feelings about this:

1. I don't think both legs are dislocated. If any leg is dislocated, it's the right one and that happened Wednesday.

2. If both legs are truly dislocated, this had to have happened a long time ago. Maybe when Christian had more tone. But that doesn't explain Wednesday's crack.

3. While this is a minor setback in terms of therapy, I'm more interested in what this means. If both legs are dislocated and they are repaired, could it mean he has greater feeling and use in his legs? Furthermore, as I mentioned, his right leg is acting more like a "normal" leg since the crack. So what does that mean?

Orthopedic surgeons...I have questions so get ready.

There's only one problem. I'm having a baby tomorrow. Yup. I'm going in tomorrow to have Christian's little sister. So I'll be useless for the time being. I'll be making the appointment for Christian in the morning in the hospital, but I can't take him. Daddy has to take him so control freak Mommy can't go. Grrr! Darn child birth! The appointment probably won't be immediately because from what my PT said, there are no emergencies in ortho surgeries anymore. We'll see how it goes!

The good news is that the sensitivity hasn't gotten any worse. He seems to feel just fine and dandy, his focus and response is getting better and better and he's been particularly active with his arms as he reaches and feels. His overall mood is great. The only time he gets a little mad is just for a minute when his right leg is moved. But I've changed his diaper and I don't get nearly the protesting that I got before. I would say he's feeling much better, but I've also been careful not to push him at all until we know what's up. So I'm interested to see how this leg thing plays out.

As I mentioned above, I'm going in to have Christian's little sister and I'm so nervous! Excited, but nervous. Please pray for Christian and his little leggy (or both of them). Also, please pray for a healthy baby and healthy mommy when all is said and done.

See you on the other side!