Panicking about hip dysplasia

[thechaseison]

I can't get a doctors appt til Monday. Will be panicking til then.. does anyone have a baby who had hip dysplasia? What did their leg rolls look like? My baby is 4 months old, just realised his rolls are wonky :(

If it is hip dysplasia, it is treatable. Are there any other signs eg clicky hip, different length legs, difference in leg movement?

Thank you for replying. I don't even know tbh, I'm going to check him over once my 18 month old goes to bed.

They usually check for hip displasia at the 8 week check. Did your GP mention anything then? My DD had a clicky hip identified at that check so we were sent for an ultrasound, which ruled it out. I know its hard not to panic, but GP will be able to take a look for you.

Try not to worry op. If it is hip displasia and wasn't detected at the 8week check then it's likely mild and easily treated.
My son had a Pavlik Harness on when he was 2months old for 23 1/2 hours a day for 12 weeks and he was fine with it. I was gutted when it was fitted as it felt like such a big deal but he really wasn't fussed! Once it was off he then follow up xrays yearly until he was 3 and has had no problems since.

This is why I'm worrying more than usual.. we messed up his 8 week check- well the doctors did. He was supposed to have it at the same time as his injections but they didn't realise and and sent us on our way. I'm kicking myself now for not reorganising it- it slipped my mind as the 18 month old has been stealing a lot of the attention.
We can't hear a click and his legs seem to be the same length.. could this just be the shape of his legs?
I do genuinely appreciate you guys taking the time to reply!

He will have had a hip check as a newborn

Asymmetrical thigh creases are a reason to get a hip scan or Xray though. Are you 100% sure his leg lengths are equal ? Ask your GP for further investigation…by the time that happens it might have to be an X-ray

Chances are, it will be fine

He will have been checked on the newborn check. Uneven creases can be a sign but do not necessarily mean hip dysplasia, but it's great that you have noticed.

He will likely be referred straight to the orthopaedic department, they will do an ultrasound scan (completely painless) and he will be examined by a physio.

Hip dysplasia at this age is so treatable. Both of my daughters were in Pavlik harnesses for a few months and still receive regular checks but both are absolutely fine.

Hip dysplasia isn’t a disaster. No need to panic, it can be treated when they’re young so that it doesn’t cause any problems later on.
I have mild hip dysplasia which wasn’t diagnosed til I was 45. It didn’t cause me any pain til I was 30. I was told that it could have been fixed easily if someone had noticed it when I was a kid.
If your baby does have it they will have to wear a little harness and it’ll sort it out. Don’t worry.

Hi :)

Asymmetrical gluteal creases (so the ones under the buttocks) are the real issue. Having an asymmetric crease on the thigh less so. Both my boys have a random extra crease on one thigh and no hip dysplasia. From the picture his gluteal creases look perfectly in line but still good to check as obviously I'm not a doctor!

It can be fixed with casting , d on t. Panic .. it's a pain but my friends baby had it . Not overly a big deal .

Uneven creases can be a sign but it also happens more often than not with no hip dysplasia. It is one of the minor signs if you like.

Baby would have been checked in hospital before discharge.

GP will probably refer for an ultrasound and go from there. It is treated either with a pavlik harness (before 6 months old) and after 6 months with casting after an open or closed reduction or a brace.

My daughter was diagnosed at 2 days old and sent for a scan at 2 weeks old. She had it very severely 1 hip totally dislocated the other partially and she was treated with 24 weeks in a pavlik. We have had probably 20 ultrasounds and about 10 xrays now and she has been fine ever since.

Don't panic over it, it is treatable.

At my sons 4 month review with the health visitor this week she commented on his creases then said herself no one else has mentioned it so at his 8 week check with the doctor it wasn’t noticed either. I’m hoping it’s nothing to worry about the HV said sometimes if it’s very minor that they don’t be called to be checked but she is referring him anyway. Hopefully with your son it’s nothing to worry about

As others have said, don’t panic. Even if it is dysplasia, it is very treatable, especially at your son’s age. I noticed that my DS had uneven leg rolls around the same age. He was referred quickly for an ultrasound and all was fine, but please try not to worry.

Thank you all, lovely to get a bit of support and a reality check! Hopefully it's nothing but I can see the harness would just be more annoying for me and not him which is what matters really.

We found my LO had suspected hip dysplasia when we were being discharged - LO one was about 2 days old then. Got referred for a scan when LO was about 6 weeks old. Had to wear a harness for 2/3 months but it was all sorted. Friends daughter had the same and wore it for a few weeks, again it was all corrected. Healthy,running, jumping all over the place children.

I think it's a lot more common than we think but very treatable if he does have it. Try not to worry, only the scan will be able to confirm if there is an issue. I also remember reading that it's more common in female babies than males.

Hope it all goes well

@thechaseison how did it turn out in the end with your LO? X