9 year old girl unable to walk - hip flexors are extremely weak

My daughter has not been able to walk for almost 3 weeks - after a karate class, her legs were aching severely and she collapsed and hasn't walked since.

That same day, she had done alot of hard running at school, including up a hill. About 2 weeks prior to this, she had a virus which had other symptoms including weak legs. Now, there are no other symptoms, just that she can only stand up for a few seconds and then she falls down.

A pediatrician said that her hip flexors are extremely weak and she has started phsyiotherapy - could all of the activity she had that day have injured her hip flexors so that she's not strong enough to stand up - is it possible to have an injury like that with no pain - her legs were aching that night and have ached a few times since then, but generally there is no pain?

We're very concerned and looking for answers - any information would be greatly appreciated!

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9 year old girl unable to walk - hip flexors are extremely weak

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Nov 08, 2008
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weakness
by: Bart - SII

This doesn't sound like a normal reaction to a muscle strain or injury. I would be concerned about the previous virus - such things can sometimes cause neurological problems which can lead to weakness. This is common with the long thoracic nerve in the shoulder.

I would talk with your doctor about the possibility that this is not a problem isolated to the muscles - exploring possible neurological involvement would be a good idea, if nothing else just to rule it out.

Bart

Nov 08, 2008
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We consulted a pediatric neurologist
by: Anonymous

We consulted a pediatric neurologist - he says there's nothing wrong neurologically, but no doctor that we've seen has ordered a c.t. scan, mri or anything - she had alot of blood tests to test for west nile virus, muscle deterioration, etc. but nothing turned up on the tests. I have read somewhere that things like repetitive kicking, too many full sit-ups and running, especially uphill can injure the hip flexors and she had participated in all of those activities that last day she was walking. To me, the most logical thing would still be a viral infection, because she had been so sick the week before, but it's been a little over 3 weeks now and we are very concerned. She's been seeing a physiotherapist, who's given us exercises to do at home and she's pushing the doctors for more tests. We appreciate hearing any opinions or similar experiences anyone else might have had
that might give us a better idea of what the problem could be. Thank you!