Hip Dysplasia questions

[jax1986]

Hi All,

My daughter was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at 5 weeks (mildly in right hip and very severe in left hip). She wore a pavlik harness for 3 months and it seemed to correct the issue. Consultant advised that because it was very severe in her left hip there is a chance that the angle of the left hip might not grow correctly and she will need further treatment. We have our follow up appointment at x-ray in May.

Firstly, how on earth do they get babies to stay still for the x-ray? We have only had ultrasounds up to now and she was quite a lot younger. She will be 16 months and is very active.

Secondly, she has been pulling herself up to standing for a couple of months now and can cruise while holding onto the sofa with both hands. However the HV said she should be cruising with only one hand and should be able to stand if I hold her hand. She’s not doing this. I thought she was doing pretty well cruising with two hands but the HV has said her gross mother skills are delayed. I’m obviously now worried about her hips! She still has an extra crease on her leg of the bad hip. Is this normal for a child who was born with hip dysplasia but it has been treated?

You will go in with her and will hold her still with her legs straight. They are very patient and know they may have to take the x ray a few times. Don't worry about it they are so used to doing the xrays it will be fine. They normally have the hip clinic all on the same day so they become used to wriggly ones.

Don't worry about extra creases etc....... some children have them even without DDH, it can be a sign of DDH but not a definitive one. Your child will probably have them for life, they don't just dissappear.

Ignore the HV. They are mostly full of crap and currently your little one is only 13 months so plenty of time for walking etc...... DDH can make them slower walkers but not always. They have missed some development being in harness but I would not be worrying about a child who is not walking at 13 months. That's just crazy!

I should also add that she will probably have xrays every 6 months or so for a few years and then move to yearly check ups if all OK. DDH can be a long haul but take the check ups, don't let them on trampolines, bouncy castles etc.... don't use jumperoos or anything that hangs their legs in a non hip healthy position and you will have done all you can. Sometimes hips grow perfectly, sadly other times they don't and they may need surgery.

My daughter had 1 hip totally dislocated and the other partially dislocated and it was diagnosed at birth and confirmed at 2 weeks of age. She was in pavlik for 6 months. She is now 5 and her hips are fine. They were behind development until she was about 3 but then caught up.

Thank you! All very reassuring.

Yes I know. I wasn’t worried about it until the HV worried me and put her on a remedial plan. I’ll just ignore it until I see the consultant in May

Glad your daughter’s hips are perfect now!

Thanks for the advise about the bouncy castles. I had not thought of this! Obviously I don’t let her anywhere near a jumparoo (aka Satan’s spawn for hips), but would not have thought about the bouncy castle!