My son jumped off our bed yesterday and hurt his leg, causing him to limp and trip constantly. We took him into a pediatrician's office this morning (not our usual doc since our visit was on a Sat). He checked out my son's gait, joints, muscles, etc. The physician then asked if I'd remove my son's underwear and the doc felt my son's testicles. I understand that my son could have hurt something in that region, causing him to limp. However, no mention of why he was checking him out down there. I want to believe he just forgot or didn't think to mention why he was doing what he was doing, but it's been bothering me all day. Especially as a male in his profession, why wouldn't he voluntarily explain something like that? What do you moms think? (BTW, he was probably in his 60's and quirky but nice enough. No overtly weird personality things or perv-ness.) :)
Thanks everybody for your thoughts. I do agree that in this case, I was overreacting to think any more of it than it was. That said, I agree with JL -- a perv doesn't always look or smell like one. And I don't think a pervy touch always has to look sensual. This issue was sitting in the back of my mind all day and I think I just needed a few other mamas to confirm what my gut was telling me.
To those of you asking why I didn't ask in the office. I'm usually "that" mom who asks way too many questions. I'd been up most of the night nursing baby sister and my son didn't want to lay down for the exam. My mind wasn't in the sharpest state and I was trying to calm my little guy down. Although it didn't seem like anything unusual in the office, I started to second guess while driving home. Thanks so much for taking time to respond and for putting this mama's mind at ease, albeit to something a total nonissue in the first place. :)
Oh good grief.... Dr's can no longer do a job without someone thinking something perv about what they are doing.
You were in the room, do you really think the Dr. would do something to get himself off while you were there?
The injury you described, if not a broken bone could easily be a groin injury. Your son will likely have several groin injuries especially if he going into sports later. It is a part of life.
Recently a relative's son fell and his doctor was concerned pain in his testicles could be causing his problem walking, he checked them to make sure there was no swelling, lumps or bruising causing pain when he walked to rule out testicular tortion, which can cause loss of a testicle and is a surgical emergency.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/testicular_pain/page2_em.htm
Since the doctor asked you to remove your son's underwear and checked him with you there I doubt there was anything of a weird nature going on, I'd say it was a necessary exam right along with checking his gait, joints, muscles, etc. Also, not knowing how old your son is I'm thinking the doctor may have felt he wasn't able to explain exactly where the pain causing him to limp was (my guy is 3 and he might have a problem pinpointing it) and the doctor simply wanted to make sure there wasn't anything of a serious nature needing immediate and intervening attention going on.
I've known doctors who aren't good at explaining what and why they're doing something, just not great communicators and kind of in their own world, and if they do something I wonder about or question I speak up immediately, "And what are you checking for by doing this?"
BTW, my guy's pediatrician had me take his underwear down at his checkup earlier this month so she could check things out, she always does. I've read doctors should do this at yearly checkups and I'm glad she does.
Hope your son is doing good and no longer limping or hurting : )
Sometimes in my profession I don't explain everything, to me it makes sense not realizing someone may need/want more explanation. In other words, it's your duty to ask questions.
When a little kid is limping, it can be anything from the waist down. I've seen boys walking pretty funny after pulling a groin muscle or accidentally sitting on a testicle. It's good the doctor checked for tenderness.
No it's not weird... BUT... you should have ASKED if you were curious.
Have you seen those adds on tv about how we ask a million questions everywhere we go, anytime we're thinking of buying something, and then in the doctors office, we're just mute? This is what they're talking about!
I think it's pretty routine to check the groin area when there is a limp.
Relax. Ask the pediatrician next time you're in there.
Do you really think a pediatrician is getting his jollies checking testicles? Yes, I admit, there are professionals that are less than "professional". (I had contact with one, one time.....)
He did the exam with you in the room..... if he was constantly having to explain his rationale or behavior, that is when I would worry!
As others have pointed out, a groin pull or testicular torsion could cause a limp or funny gait. Be thankful that he was checking all possibilities.
not weird...injuries to the groin can cause problems like he was experiencing. Doctor's have a hard time doing their job anymore because people are so paranoid about inappropriate touching etc...
No, it is not weird. He sounds thorough and just wanted check his groin and testicles for injury.
There's nothing wierd about it, but it doesn't make sense that you didn't ask.
Groin injuries can cause hernias. I will bet that he was checking to see if his injury had caused a hernia. That would probably show up as a swollen and tender testicle. You and he are lucky that this isn't the case, since that requires surgery.
Next time, ask what all he is checking for and be glad for a doctor who does a thorough check.
Dawn
why didn't you ask?
khairete
puzzled S.
Sounds normal to me.
In the future, don't hesitate to ask why a doctor is doing anything. They will be more than willing to explain the reasons behind their actions. You want to go in and leave feeling safe and cared for. If asking specific questions helps you achieve this, then ask away.
He may looking for a hernia, pulled groin or something like that. I think in this case it was part of looking for what is wrong with your son. Next time its ok to ask why he is doing that. Hope your son is better!
I would always in the moment say "what are you checking for, just curious?" This way you are not accusatory and reminding them that they need to educate during exams. Even when a patient goes to the ER with a neck injury most times a gown is required and we always get...why? Because they need to be able to examine the whole patient to ensure they aren't missing part of the story.
J.:
I'm sorry your son was hurt.
I think you are going a tad bit overboard on this. You were in the room when he examined your son's testicles...and checking testicles can give a doctor a lot of answers - you would be surprised at what can make a child limp in pain.
If it is bothering you and you have to take him back - ASK - it is OKAY to question your doctor about what he/she is doing to you or your child.
Is this your regular doctor, and has he done this before? My son gets his checked at his pedi exam annually. The motions the doc makes are obviously an exam, and not "sensual". I'm always in the room to see. If this is the case for you, I would assume that it was part of the exam to make sure things didn't get banged, pinched, etc.
I think it's pretty routine.
Well phooey to those who think a perv wouldn't try to pull something right under your nose. And not all pervs are some stranger in the park. They can be doctors, teachers, dentists...anybody. And it happens all the time! Google doctor/pediatrician and molestation charges. You'll see plenty of news stories pop up. It's the attitudes and naivety of so many parents who believe these people would never jeopardize their standing in the community that pervs look for so they can pull stuff and get away with it. It's difficult thing and that means as a concerned parent, you can never be too cautious in that department.
With that said, if the exam looked weird to you, such as it went beyond the realm of normal to you, and he focused too long, then yeah, he could be a perv. You were there, we weren't. If you think something was off then trust your gut. The next question is, what do you do about it? You have to decide. If he's a freak, there is a moral responsibility to say something about it, as he could do this to other children.
Aside from your feelings about the exam, based on the facts you share here, I really think he was checking the groin for a pulled tendon or muscle. In the future, I would ask immediately why he was doing this, if it seemed out of the ordinary. To get confirmation that there was a method to the madness, if you will. If you are truly upset, you can always ask another doctor or your child's regular physician if this is normal protocol, if your son has a follow-up exam.
It's weird he didn't tell you why. I very much doubt he was waiting for this opportunity to feel your son's testicles in front of you. My unprofessional medical explanation is that sometimes testicles can be injured, making them sensitive and making a boy limp to avoid the rubbing.
When we were real young, I jumped on my brother and gave him a testicular hernia, I think... something happened and it was my fault. :P The testes can cause all kinds of problems, so it makes sense he would check them. Just being thorough.
