What symptoms did Elliot West show before his spinal TB diagnosis?

Elliot displayed an unusual walking pattern, with his hips swinging outwards and knees touching, along with flaring arms.

Can children fake symptoms for attention, as doctors suggested for Elliot West?

While children can sometimes seek attention, it is crucial to investigate persistent health concerns thoroughly, as Elliot's case demonstrates.

What is spinal tuberculosis and why is it rare?

Spinal tuberculosis is a bacterial infection affecting the spine, rare in developed countries due to historical improvements in living conditions and healthcare.

Home / Health / Boy's Strange Walk Led to Rare Spinal TB Diagnosis

Boy's Strange Walk Led to Rare Spinal TB Diagnosis

18 Jan

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Summary

A young boy's unusual walking pattern was initially dismissed by doctors.
He was diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis, a rare bacterial infection.
His mother advocates for listening to children and parental concerns.

Boy's Strange Walk Led to Rare Spinal TB Diagnosis

A Coventry mother's persistent concerns about her son Elliot West's unusual walking were initially dismissed by medical professionals, who suggested he might be acting for attention. Elliot, who displayed a peculiar gait with flaring arms and touching knees, was eventually diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis in June 2025. This bacterial infection, a historical concern often linked to Victorian slums, is rare in modern developed nations.

Megan West recounts multiple visits to GPs, where Elliot's weight loss and leg weakness were attributed to him being skinny or seeking attention due to his baby sister. The diagnosis of spinal TB, which involved calcified lymph nodes in his lungs, was only confirmed via an X-ray. The condition meant Elliot's spine was at risk of collapse.