ds is so stiff in the mornings and evenings

[tjw]

hi my george is 6 when he gets up in the morning his legs are very stiff and sore walks like a little old man bless him, i have started rubbing his legs b4 he gets out of bed just to help get them going, but he also has problems with handwritting it is not good at all, tryed loads of different pens pencils ect but no difference in his writing, also towards the end of evening his legs hurt again and if he has walk more than normal, any tips on what this could be, we are at consultants on fri for dx but not for any of the stiffness in his joints,

thanks

theresa x

[Karen A]

Hi.I was wondering does george walk on his tipptoes at all ? Ben walks on his tipptoes which is not unusual in ASD.The tippptoe walking causes stress to the tendons that run from Ben's ankle up to the knee.When these get too tight he often complains that they feel stiff.Karen.

[tjw]

Hi.I was wondering does george walk on his tipptoes at all ? Ben walks on his tipptoes which is not unusual in ASD.The tippptoe walking causes stress to the tendons that run from Ben's ankle up to the knee.When these get too tight he often complains that they feel stiff.Karen.

hi karen

yes he is on his tiptoes alot so that could be the cause of the stiff legs didnt realise that it was asd related, thanks for the reply is they anything you do for ben what makes it a little easier i can only think of the rubbing i do in the mornings for him, dont realy wont to use any of those heat creams i think that would upset him the hotness on his skin.

thanks again

theresa x

[skye]

Hi Theresa,

 

My DD walks on tiptoes and is currently getting help from the physiotherapist because she was complaining of stiff legs and joints. It turned out she had shortened tendons in the backs of her knees. She has already started something called "serial casting" which is where her legs have to be in plaster up to the knees once every few months for 2 week periods. She is also now in Piedro Shoes, which are heavy shoes to try to keep her off of her toes and she is also being fitted with night splints to help keep her feet bent up and not pointed. I would definately try to get a referral if I were you to try and sort this out before it gets worse. The doctors have said that if these treatments don't fully work that DD (Age 5) may have to have surgery where the cut and release the tendons. I am not trying to scare you. I just really wish that someone would have warned me about the seriousness of her tiptoing and things sooner, before it got to this point. I hope this helps. -Skye

Edited April 23, 2009 by skye

[Karen A]

hi karen

yes he is on his tiptoes alot so that could be the cause of the stiff legs didnt realise that it was asd related, thanks for the reply is they anything you do for ben what makes it a little easier i can only think of the rubbing i do in the mornings for him, dont realy wont to use any of those heat creams i think that would upset him the hotness on his skin.

thanks again

theresa x

 

We have never had professional advice.However we do encourage Ben to do exercises to strech the tendons.Just standard streches as advised by people that do streches as part of a fitness routine.I should say that it may be worth requesting a physiotherapy assesssment.My friend's son who has ASD and walks on tiptoes a lot needed to have sugery because the tendons got so tight and was in plaster for several weeks.So it is worth obtaining a professional opinion rather than going on my advice if you are concerned.

I think some people on the Forum have also been able to obtain specialist shoes which make tiptoe walking more difficult.Karen.

 

[Karen A]

Hi Theresa,

 

My DD walks on tiptoes and is currently getting help from the physiotherapist because she was complaining of stiff legs and joints. It turned out she had shortened tendons in the backs of her knees. She has already started something called "serial casting" which is where her legs have to be in plaster up to the knees once every few months for 2 week periods. She is also now in Piedro Shoes, which are heavy shoes to try to keep her off of her toes and she is also being fitted with night splints to help keep her feet bent up and not pointed. I would definately try to get a referral if I were you to try and sort this out before it gets worse. The doctors have said that if these treatments don't fully work that DD (Age 5) may have to have surgery where the cut and release the tendons. I am not trying to scare you. I just really wish that someone would have warned me about the seriousness of her tiptoing and things sooner, before it got to this point. I hope this helps. -Skye

 

Thanks.I was attempting to remeber what the shoes were called and whether they needed to cut the tendons when they did the surgery. Karen.

 

[call me jaded]

If it's the joints and not the muscles Omega 3 may help - works for my arthritis.

[tjw]

hi karen and skye

thanks for the advise i am going to my dr for a referal for this he was under the hospital about a yr ago and they gave him some insoles which were higher on one side than the other to try and make him walk of the toes but these gave him blisters and made his legs sore, i am waiting to here back from them regarding another appointment, but i will push for it now, because now as skye has said it could be his tendons and i would rather no now rather than later, but his legs do seem to be getting worse, i spoke with cahms about it and they said to go to our dr, back with cahms and consultant tomorrow for his dx i think, my head is all over the place at mo, but thanks for your advise on this, i dont post that often but it is a realy good place on here when peeps like yourself take the time to reply to me and i carnt thank you enough for your advise,

takecare

theresa x

[tjw]

If it's the joints and not the muscles Omega 3 may help - works for my arthritis.

hi call me jaded

george has been on omega 3 with his multi vits now for over 2 yrs, i think it may be muscle, because it seems to be the calf area and back of kneecap what hurts the most for him, omega 3 is a fab supplement we all take it

take care

theresa x