My 6 Year Old Can Not Hop with Left Leg

Please find a GOOD chiropractor. One that takes X-Rays before touching you, so they can see exactly what is going on. It sounds to me like she might have some subluxation that is blocking messages from her nerves to her muscles. I'm no doctor, but I have been to the best chiropractors and some okay ones and the best one gave a kid movement who couldn't even lift his arms when doctors couldn't help him. I saw videos of this boy before and after-it was a miracle for him and his parents.

I would recommend having her evaluated by a physical therapist or chiropracter, just to rule out any issues. Also, when I was little I was very clumsy and "pidgeon toed" at that age and my mom put me in ballet and the excercises really helped, and I loved it! I even went on to dance professionally for several years after I graduated from high school!

Dr. Quatro of Varsity Othopedics, in Bedford 76021(female pediatric orthopedic surgeon) is the best. After she checks your daughter out, she can refer you to a nerve doctor, if her bones are all A-okay. I took my 21 month old there when she was still not walking. The doctor said her bones were okay during the first visit (x-ray in office), and two days later my daughter decided to walk. We also took her when my daughter fractures a bone in her foot. The doctor is very personable, and thourough (sp?) an excellent choice! I also like the idea of a chiropractor, but I would go to Dr. Quatro first. Take Care!

Hello B.,

I second (third or 4th!) the recommentation of going to a chiropractor. My daughter kept draging and turning inward her left foot and the pediatrician kept saying that there was nothing wrong. I took her to my chiropractor and her hips were out of alingment. that was before she was 2. now she's a very active 6 year old. I still take her for regular adjustments.

Dr. Brian Hooten
Hooten Family Chiropractic
16970 Dallas Parkway #201
Dallas TX 75248
###-###-####

good luck! ~C.~

Hello there,

do not worrry so much. That leg probably needs just a little strength training and all will be well. She is fine. Train the muscle that is it.

I don't really know anything about this, but I was wondering if she acts like it hurts, or just has a preference for one side. Like, she can DO everything with the left leg, but can't START OFF doing it with the left leg. Trust your gut re. finding a doctor that could check it out - maybe call a physical therapist or something? But maybe also talk to the place you'd take her for dance lessons - maybe they've dealt with the same thing with other kids and can point you in the right direction. Good luck!

My 9 year old son has some motor skills issues, both fine and gross. We've tried pediatricians, a neurologists, a chiropractor and physical therapy at school. The physical therapy and the chiropractor where by far the most help in terms of making progress. I'm finding that different chiropractors seem to focus on different issues, so you have to ask questions ahead of time. The one I liked for my son was Christopher Plat at Select Chiropractic on Main St. in Frisco. He has givin my son daily exercises to do and they have really helped.

Good luck.

I'm a pediatric physical therapist, and it is NOT normal for there to be that large of a discrepancy between left and right sides. Do you notice any difficulties with her left hand or arm as well? I would request first of all a physical therapy evaluation; even if the doctor does not think it's necessary, a good doctor will comply and make the referral to give mom peace of mind and to rule out/confirm any further problems. A visit to a neurologist or orthopedic specialist would not be a bad idea either. I recommend a PT first though because they can give you some intial exercises, etc. to work on with her. And who knows, maybe they will agree with the doctors and say she's fine, but at least you can have some peace of mind.

I agree that you should follow up. I was a very clumsy child and when I was seven they finally discovered that I had very poor eyesight. I had been "faking" it until then. I really want to say that you should follow your own instincts. My son is grown and throughout his whole childhood, doctors brushed off my concerns and it took a lot of persistence to get something done. But, I was always right. A mom knows her child better than anyone else. Don't let them ignore your concerns.

D. Kimbriel
Grandma to 2 great boys

Have you gone through all of your medical histories (you and your husband)? A doctor that you may consider is a hematologist or endocrinologist. Hematologists deal with blood and blood disorders and an endocrinologist works with the endocrine system...hormones and such.

Is there anything specific that she mentions when she tries i.e. pain (sharp, dull, radiating) or weakness? Do you notice any spasms in the muscle when she tries or just after? I hope this has been helpful or at least guided you in your perceptions.

Take care,

Hi B.,

When my daughter started to school many years ago, she was not able to lift her legs up to get onto the school bus, she would have to be lifted onto the bus, before that I had not really noticed any problem. I took her to a chiropractor, she had a problem with the rotation in her hips, the chiro worked with her and with us doing exercises at home, were able to correct the problem. Maybe your daughter has a similar problem, find a pediatric chiropractor for a consultation. Hope this helps.

When my daughter was 5, she was so dominate right, she'd fall off a stool that had no sides--always to the right. She had no awareness of her left side. Still she was athletic, loved gymnastics. We discovered this when we put her in Vision Therapy for ADHD. Through exercises forcing her to use her left arm, leg, hand, etc., she started using her left side more. After having your daughter checked to make sure there's nothing wrong with her left leg, start doing things with her. Bouncing a ball and catching with her left hand, walking a rail--heel-to-toe, etc. It may take practice, but she'll become more aware of her left side and use it.

Bring her to me! I'm a chiropractor in Irving. I have alot of kids that come to me and they love being adjusted! Call us ###-###-####
Dr. J.