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[Gem83]

Hi
My daughter Grace is currently in a hip spica and has been for 8 weeks already. She will be in her hip spica for another 8 weeks and we are having problems with her sleeping. Shes 17 months old. She goes to bed ok it's just that she wakes up in the night and doesn't want to go back to sleep

It's soooo draining!!!

oh bless you both, have been through the hip spica stage but luckily my little one enjoyed her sleep...

She was ok until she had it changed on the 18th Feb since then shes played up loads.

I think it's because she thought she was going to the hospital to have it taken off for good.

Other then the sleep problem she has coped with it really well.

I think children cope so much better then us parents!

Oh, poor her, poor you.

Welcome to MN, Gem.

Could it be that the new cast is less comfortable than the previous one? DS had a series of thigh-length plasters for months when he was one, and I know some were much more close fitting than others. If she has itching underneath, Piriton can help.

What is her spica for?

Have you found the STEPS website for lower limb conditions? It has a good parents forum and there may be others who have encountered the sleep problem.

Welcome to the SN board, gem.

Hi Blu, Hi coppertop, thanks for your welcome

yes i have registered on the steps site quite recently.

It seem as though it's quite common for them not to sleep while in the cast. I think it's mainly because of her age.

Shes in the hip spica because her hips are dislocated. It wasn't picked up until she started walking where we noticed she had one leg longer then the other.

So she had 3 months of running around and wearing herself out and now she can only pull herself round the front room.

Keep posting and let us know how she gets on.

How much longer will she be in the spica?

hello and nice to meet you.
can you tell me what hip spica is please.

2Shoes - imagine a pair of dungarees made of plaster! Basically the child is in plaster from chest or tummy to toes, with the legs held apart by a metal bar. Used to help the hips grow correctly and prevent joints slipping out of the socket.

oh I get a bit like when the tendons are done but more plaster and higher. thanks

Hi all,

Took Grace to our GP today and was given some piriton to help her sleep

Apparently its because the side effects to prirton are drowsiness so fingers crossed she'll sleep better tonight

GP said if it doesn't work to come back and will try a different medicine.

Just pleased the doc helped us out.