Balls. Anybody had a 7 month old with unequal creases and different leg length and it's NOT been dysplasia?

[robino]

DD1 had CDH, it was caught very early, she wore a Pavlik's for 10 months, she's fine.

DD2 had ultrasound, was clear, is now 3 and seems fine.

DD3 had ultrasound and was given the all clear. She's nearly 7 months; the other day I noticed she had unequal creases and made HV appointment fully expecting to be told I'm a paranoid mother. Wrong. Went today - the creases are very obviously unequal AND her legs are different lengths. Have made a GP appointment for Thursday.

This doesn't sound good, does it? Rationally, I know that CDH is not the end of the world, is completely treatable and the outcome is generally good. However, I'm a wreck. How on earth didn't I notice this earlier? And as it's so much later than DD1 was diagnosed, is the treatment going to need to be more extreme?

Anyone?

We were refered for leg creases. She had no walking problems as such just uncomfortable and very wriggly when sitting. They found no reason for it though. She was 13 months at that point.

Thanks supergreen. I hope everything is ok with your DD now

Oh Robino afraid I have no advice but bumping for you and wishing you loads of luck.

Thanks Tiger (I'm assuming our Pavlik's advice history allows me to call you that!)

Have the GP tomorrow; I can only assume that she'll be referred to a specialist (and if she's not I'll be kicking up a storm). I feel completely at odds and confused because she ha been given the all clear.

Unequal creases on their own do not necessarily mean CDH. Does dd3 weight bare? Sit unsupported? If she can it could be a congenital shorter femur or tib/fib which can also be treated. Does she have a flat bottom or nicely rounded while on her front?

Hi, my 11 month old DD has just had an open reduction surgery on her left hip, she was also showing uneven creases and shorter leg. They diagnosed it months and months ago but kept messing us about and cancelling operation dates for a closed reduction, so she had to have the more invasive surgery as they had left it too long despite us pestering them

To cut to the point, my advice is skip seeing the health visitor, go straight to GP and demand that they fully check/scan as quick as possible, go every day if they keep putting you off, dont be fobbed off or made to wait. My DD is miserable in her plaster cast and the hospital stay was absolutely horrendous, (but fingers crossed your child will be totally fine!! I really hope so!!) My DD could have had simpler surgery or even maybe got away with a pavlik, if the local doctors weren't so utterly incompetent that he did her 8ek check of hips WITHOUT even bothering to take her nappy off, and missed it that early I didnt recognise any of the symptoms back then, and frankly its been a crappy ordeal. Absolute best of luck with your lo

Forgot to add in response to captaincrosc post above mine, my DD did weight bear and sit unaided despite a third degree hip dislocation so in our case that wasnt relevant

TwoPeas I do agree it is not always spotted and unfortunately this will happen even more in some areas where hips are not routinely checked by HV at 7-9 months anymore.
Very impressed that your lo could still sit up etc though

Really sorry to hear how bad your experience was. Where I trained HV's had to check hips (nappy off) checking creases, leg length abduction, look for flat bottom and weight baring and if there was anything suspicious I would refer. Unfortunately where I work now the nursery nurse does the 8 month review and they aren't trained to check hips so the HV has to look at 1 yr. This isn't good because as you say by then it requires more extensive surgery to correct it. Would a leaflet with symptoms help at the 3-4 month review?

Thanks for your further advice. The GP listened to what I had to say, what the HV said and decided to refer her for an x-ray immediately; she didn't
even bother to wake DD up to examine her.

DD can sit unsupported and does weight bare, bum is also very round. she does have rather, erm, plump thighs!

So, we're just waiting on an x-ray; the GP asked for it to be ASAP. I feel less frantic than I did and am just pleased we are able to get it checked earlier rather than later.

Two peas - sorry to hear about your DD, I hope she recovers well.

Robino glad your dd is getting an x-ray Will you update us when you have the results? Its just that it is nice to know how everything goes x Good luck x

I'll try to remember to update captaincroc. Thanks again.

DS had unequal creases on his thighs. He was weight-bearing when the HV noticed and so he wasn't even referred, and proceeded to be just fine - walking at just before 12 months and running around happily now (21 months).

He was exceedingly chubby, so I don't know if that has a bearing on these things?

dd2 had very uneven creases at this age, and different leg lengths. She also had slightly clicky hips, and walked on tiptoes when she eventually (late) walked.

Her hips are fine, though. We had x-rays, and you are doing the right thing - will keep fingers crossed for you.

Also keeping fingers crossed for you, I've read that a lot of young babies have very mobile hips which can sort of pop in and out with no real effects, and are fine in the long run. Reassuring as well to know that even with severe cases of dislocation, it doesn't seem to hurt them! My DD is at hospital today to be checked, hopefully the plaster cast will be off in 3-4wks time
Hip problems are surprisingly common in babies, I really think parents should be made aware that they need to keep an eye on leg length/creases etc because the earlier the better re; treatment.
The Steps charity website is incredibly useful for any parents with similarly affected children, also talipes/clubfeet etc. Take care everyone