What happens at a hip xray for a baby/toddler?

[tortoiseSHELL]

Ds2 is having an xray next week to rule out clicky hips - can you give me an idea what to expect? Thanks! He is 16 months.

When dd had her x-ray they got her up on xray table, got her into the correct position (legs splayed) and I held on to her (wearing a heavy lead tabard [i think!]) to ensure she didn't fall off and to hold the legs in the right position. It's a bit difficult if I'm honest but they were used to dealing with little ones and are pretty patient! I hope this helps.

You will go in the room with him, he will need to be stripped from the waist down, they will take x-rays of him flat on his back, legs dead straight and together, (you wil be able to hold him in this position) then an x-ray of his still on his back, with his knees bent, facing outwards, and the soles of his feet put together, he will be fine, its not traumatic at all, you will be with him the whole time.

Is it an ultrasound or an xray?

Was he breech?
We had routine check for ds2 who was breech but it was at 8 weeks.
He weed all over the consultants very expensive looking suit
It was by ultrasound, just poked a mini scanner (like the heartbeat listening device in size) at his hips and it showed up on a screen.

DD had x ray and it was as described by totaleclipse. It was fine except I had Ds with me (3) as we weren't expecting an x ray, DS had to go behind a screen with the radiographer which he was a bit upset about.

DD was fine.

The only thing I can add is that it is common practice not to use lead protection over your sons gonads for the first xray they have taken. This is to ensure that they do not cover any bony anatomy that may be causing his problem as toddlers have a habit of wriggling despite your best efforts and it would be a shame to repeat the image because of missing something.
However, I routinely use lead protection on gonads from then onwards, sometimes using a bit of surgical sticky tape to help keep it in place.
Oh, remember to take a clean nappy into the room with you just in case and make sure clothing is out of the line of fire if he does have a wee Also if he has a favourite small toy that can keep his hands occupied that may be helpful.

Forgot to say that if you are / could be pregnant then you will need to take someone else who can hold DS.

Thanks very much - he wasn't breech, and tbh I think it's probably not a problem. The HV picked up that he isn't walking yet, is only just crawling at 16 months, and when he stands and takes steps when you hold his hands, he drags his left leg. That's all, so the GP thought best to get it checked out now rather than later.

Thanks!

Thanks again, ds2 had his x-ray today, which was much as you described - they laid him on the bed with legs straight and together, no nappy. What I wasn't expecting was for him to freak out absolutely and completely when they moved the x-ray machine overhead - he was screaming like I've never heard a baby scream before - floods of tears, ear-piercing screams. It actually took 2 of us to hold him on the bed, and he was absolutely distraught. The scanner was lovely, and asked if I wanted to calm him down first, but knowing him, he wouldn't have calmed down without leaving the room, and then returning would have set him off again, so she just persevered. He is a sensitive little soul, but I really wasn't expecting that reaction!

I always get everything ready so all I have to do is get mum / dad in the lead coat and baby on the film , so no moving of anything unless I can avoid it