X-ray procedure for assessing hip dysplasia?

[Thistledew]

Does anyone have experience of an x-ray procedure for assessing hip dysplasia at 6 months old?

DD was referred at birth for a hip dysplasia assessment because she was breach after 36 weeks.

Normally, the hospital would do an assessment by ultrasound at 3 weeks old, but these were not being done due to Covid. Instead, she has been invited for an x-ray at 6 months.

I am debating whether to let her undergo this procedure, for the following reasons:

Pro:
The recommendation is that she be assessed as she was breech after 36 weeks. However, she was only in the breech position for about a week until she was turned by ECV.
The Dr at her 8 week check said that she felt a slight click in one hip. However, both DH and I have clicky joints and DS had similarly clicky hips that were found to be completely fine when he had the ultrasound at 3 weeks.

Con:
I don't have any concerns about DD's hip movements. Her legs have symmetrical creases, and she has a good range of movement. She is also very strong in her legs and loves to stand up. She can stand up just holding our hands for support for minutes at a time.
I am concerned about her undergoing a more significant assessment. Am I right that she would have to be sedated for the x-ray? There is the risk from exposure to radiation and also of exposure to Covid at the hospital.

WWYD? Does anyone with experience of the procedure have any advice?

Please go....I’m 40 and only 2 years ago got diagnosed with hip dysplasia which should have been picked up when I was very much younger. I’m in quite a lot of pain and it does limit the activities that I can do including running around with my children but the consultant says I’m still 15 years off needed a hip replacement. I wish mine had been picked up and tested when I was younger! Now I’m paranoid every time one of my DC mention their hips aching and my 7 year old is under a physio at the moment just in case he has anything going on, even though his X-ray earlier this year was clear.

I’m not 100% sure on the process in the UK but in Australia I’ve never heard of babies being sedated for an X-ray. The risks would definitely outweigh the benefit of an X-ray. DS had an ultrasound but a friend of mine decided to have the X-ray at around the same age for peace of mind. Her DS also had very few risk factors and was happily standing with assistance but she ultimately felt that if the medical team were recommending something then she would put her trust in them. As the X-ray only takes a second, I think my friend just popped a lead gown on and held her DS in position. She said she felt glad she’d done it and didn’t have to think about it anymore

Sorry I should say the risks of sedating a baby would outweigh the benefit of an X-ray

My dd had this. We thought the scan would find nothing as her hips seemed fine to us (good range of movement, strong etc). However much to our surprise the results showed that there was a slight problem. She had to wear a sort of plastic nappy thing to correct the problem for a short while but it was no big deal.
She has no problems any more, but without the treatment maybe she would have done!

She was not sedated for the x-ray and from what I remember it was very quick and hassle free. The staff were used to dealing with young children and babies, it wasnt upsetting for her in the slightest and in fact she enjoyed the extra attention

They do not sedate babies for X-Rays.

If there was any suggestion of a click (and you say there was) I think it would be really unreasonable not to get re-assurance and confirmation that all is OK. You are subjected to more radiation on a short plane flight than in a modern x ray.

if a problem developed later you would never forgive yourself.

Definitely go. I’m a sufferer of this awful condition so I had all 3 of my kids assessed by X-ray. It’s super quick and there’s no need for sedation. Just do it.

My eldest has had numerous x-rays, scans and surgeries for an orthopaedic condition, from birth onwards. Was only ever sedated for an MRI, never an x-ray.

"Her legs have symmetrical creases, and she has a good range of movement. She is also very strong in her legs and loves to stand up. She can stand up just holding our hands for support for minutes at a time" - LOL, I could have said all that about mine, but he has actual bones and muscle groups missing. I understand that you feel confident and are not worrying, which is good, but you aren't actually in a position to properly confirm that all is well.

Any procedure involving a child is a worry for us, but an x-ray is SO minor, if you are right it will all be a major irritation , getting to the hospital etc, ...but if you are wrong, the impact could be huge.

Please please go... i was undiagnosed at birth and at the age of 34 only just been diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia which gives me lots of pain (but wont do an op until I'm over 50!) and if this was picked up earlier i wouldn't be in this predicament!

Am I right that she would have to be sedated for the x-ray?

No you are wrong. You will have to wear a lead gown and hold them.

There is the risk from exposure to radiation and also of exposure to Covid at the hospital.

Risk from radiation is negligible. As is covid risk.

The question you should be asking is why not ultrasound at 6 months as there is less bone to image by x-ray. However, you would hope the radiologist would have considered this at justification.

How are you feeling @Thistledew?

My SIL was diagnosed in her thirties and has a lot of pain now. We had our babies scanned at one week and one month but would also have had an x ray at 6 months to avoid the risk.