Thompson's Hospital Adventure

Believe it or not, but Thompson beat Avery to the hospital this fall! Thursday evening around dinner time, he complained of his right leg hurting, and while somewhat concerned, we thought it might simply be a pulled muscle that a good night's sleep would heal. He woke up in the middle of the night crying, telling us that his leg hurt and unwilling to put any pressure on it. By morning, the pain was still present and he had no interest in walking or moving (crying every time we asked him to try).

To make a long story as short as possible, his pediatrician's office scheduled an appointment for us for late Friday (9/25) morning. After meeting with the doctor, blood-work was ordered and Thompson was referred to the hospital for an ultrasound of his hip. If the ultrasound showed increased fluid in the hip, then aspiration would be required to determine whether or not there presence of bacteria. If the hip join looked "normal", then our original thought of a pulled muscle would be more likely. The catch here is that if bacteria is present and not caught (septic hip), Thompson could be at risk for degenerative and arthritic hip issues down the road.

Much to our surprise, the ultrasound showed the presence of increased fluid, which required aspiration. We must say that Thompson was a true CHAMP, impressing all the nurses and doctors with his 3-year old bravery! And the best news of all was that the lab determined no presence of bacteria. Thompson was discharged from the hospital and put on a regimen of Motrin until his gait is back to normal.

So his diagnosis was "toxic synovitis". In parents' terms...an increase/swelling of the synovial cavity fluid (located in hip joint) which causes pain in the hip. It is often caused by a virus that elects to settle into the hip join and evidently more common than we knew. The pain subsides on its own within a week or so and the Motrin regimen helps to reduce the swelling thus alleviating some of the pain. While he is walking with a limp, we can already see improvement with each passing day.

We appreciate the prayers of our family and friends this past weekend. Through this experience, we were reminded that God is in control, He alone is the Great Physician and that one of His greatest blessings in our health.