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Children's health

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Original poster

Hip dysplasia should i be waiting for diagnosis?

19 replies

JP12345 · 20/04/2015 16:36

At 6weeks the GP noticed a click in my dds hip, and slightly uneven creases... he then said that we will get an x-ray at 6months as the bones need to develop to be able to diagnose the problem.

But on reading up I am a bit concerned that this should be nipped in the bud asap. I really don't want her to have to have an operation if a harness would fix the problem.

Is there anyone with knowledge or experience about this?

Is it possible that the GP could tell that it was a mild case and so leaving it would be ok? Or is leaving it til 6months too lax?

I think I was just a bit in denial and when he said leave it for a while I just hoped it would go away... But that's not likely is it??

Also, not in the uk at the moment so any ideas of costs for private xray/ultrasounds? Its definitely something I'd pay for if it will help i just don't understand 100% why the doctor said to wait...

OP posts:

MamaWren · 20/04/2015 16:44

At my DDs six week check the GP (in the UK) thought she might have a slightly clicky hip and she was sent for a n ultrasound within a few days to rule anything out. It turned out to be nothing but was very reassuring to be seen so quickly. My friend's baby had hip dysplasia and was in a brace for a few months - it was picked up at the six week check and treated straight away.

Alonglongway · 20/04/2015 16:45

Can share a little experience. I had the same with DD1 - clicky hip picked up at her 6 week check and I was told to wait and see how it went. I wasn't happy and pushed for an x ray. It was a tiny thing and did go away on its own.

SmokingGun · 20/04/2015 16:48

I wouldn't wait. As an adult sufferer it is slot better if they can treat early. I'm not sure if it is allowed on MN (if not please report my post to get it deleted) but try the STEPS charity forum for advise. They are wonderful and helped me a lot with my op's.

Eastpoint · 20/04/2015 16:49

My daughter had a check when she was about 2 hours old and she had an ultrasound the next day. The following day she saw an orthopaedic surgeon and was fitted for a Pavlik Harness. She visited the fracture clinic each week for a month and then fortnightly. She wore it for less than three months in total and has never had any subsequent problems (she is nearly 14 now).

haggisaggis · 20/04/2015 16:52

I had hip dysplasia at birth so both my dc were scanned within 6 weeks of birth. ds was prescribed a removable brace that was off by the time he was 3 months. With dd I am fairly sure they forgot to recall her - but she was rechecked at 3 months and everything was then fine.
I am surprised at them leaving it to 6 months though as even with me 50 years ago it was diagnosed shortly after birth and I was put in a splint immediately.

Original poster

JP12345 · 20/04/2015 17:43

Many thanks for all the responses so soon.

Interesting too to see similar experiences...

Would i be right in thinking that the ultrasound is more appropriate at this stage as it might not yet show up in x-ray (as dr said)??

OP posts:

DayLillie · 20/04/2015 17:50

My HV decided DD had uneven creases at 10mths and we had an appointment with paediatrician (who also looked at twin sister who was along at the appointment) and x-ray within a couple of weeks. There was no problem.

This was a particularly efficient HV.

Morepeasplease · 21/04/2015 13:37

Ultrasound ASAP.

Redhead11 · 21/04/2015 13:45

DD2 had clicky hips after birth, but it was blamed on the quick labour and disappeared. Unfortunately, it reappeared 16 years later when we moved to a house with stairs and we discovered that sending her riding had been a bad idea and she has just recently had surgery for a trapped and torn cartilage in one hip. Her hips will never be right. Please get this followed up so that your DC doesn't end up like my DD2

2LittleFishes · 21/04/2015 13:48

My gp picked up a click at the 6 week appt but wasn't 100% so we went back at 12 weeks and we were then referred for ultrasound a few weeks later. Was a mild case but she had the pavlik harness for a couple of months and is fine now, we have a yearly xray until she's five.

My little boy was referred from the hospital to confirm there was no issues as there was family history. We had his ultrasound at 2weeks old.

I'd push for a referral to get an ultrasound done tbh. So much easier to treat when there little.

2LittleFishes · 21/04/2015 13:51

Also- if your dd does end up in a harness, it's really not so bad! I was devastated at first but you soon get used to it an i can't even remember it now!

Lovehorror · 21/04/2015 13:52

Id push for referral my dds hip was missed at birth and not picked up till she was 3.

TheBuffyBot · 21/04/2015 14:12

I think I'd push for a referral for an ultrasound. Our HV missed dds uneven creases it was only when we took her to the gp for something completely unrelated at 20 weeks did the they pick up on it. We were sent for an ultrasound very quickly and it transpired she needed an operation in aldehey and was in a hip spica cast for 3 month's. She has never had any further trouble and she's 8 now.
I second what a previous poster said about the charity STEPS they were fantastic and had lots of tips and advice when I was a bit overwhelmed with it all. Good luck.

ifyoujustsmile · 21/04/2015 14:19

Please push for ultrasound. My dd was only screened because she was breech, She had no click, no pop, no uneven creases but it turned out that one leg was completely dislocated out of the hip socket and the other was off centre and neither socket had developed properly.
3 months in a pavlik harness and she's fine - now monitored every 6 months.
Early intervention is key, steps charity is a great website for more info.
Good Luck

GooseyLoosey · 21/04/2015 14:25

I don't know, but as an adult suffer looking at a full hip replacement in my 40s, it would have been a lot better if it was picked up and dealt with when I was a baby.

Lovehorror · 21/04/2015 14:27

Because my dds was missed,she may need a hip replacement by the time she's 30.

Original poster

JP12345 · 21/04/2015 22:47

Wow thank you all for sharing your experiences and thoughts.

You have convinced me that its not a risk worth taking.

And it underlines how very very valuable the nhs is (now that I don't have it!!).

I will probably look up or start another thread for this but any ideas how to get/if we need a referral for a private ultrasound in ireland?

OP posts:

AnyFucker · 21/04/2015 22:51

your baby needs a hip ultrasound

Original poster

JP12345 · 22/04/2015 15:16

And thanks 2littlefishes it is horrible to think of her in those contraptions when she should spend her first summer rolling around carefree. But ur right it's not forever.

Have made appointment to get ultrasound referral.

I'm feeling terrible to have just been sitting by whilst it could have been getting worse.

Just can't imagine why the dr wanted to leave it.

OP posts:

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