Hip Dysplasia -- UPDATE

[mam615]

First off, thanks to all of you ladies who responded to my previous post. You are very thoughtful and encouraging, and I have followed up with all your leads.

The x-rays confirmed what the pediatrician suspected, Dorothy does have hip dysplasia, although it is a mild case. What really kills me is that I was (until now) completely ignorant of this condition, even though I consider myself fairly well informed about infant development (I'm always reading up on things in books/magazines/online). If I had known the symptoms (asymetrical fat folds on the upper thighs, resistance to opening the legs into a frog position), I could have been watching for them during the million diaper changes and the occasional yoga sessions.

But regret will get me nowhere. I post the above only to spread the word to those of you who haven't heard of it either. It's basically a condition in which the hip joint develops abnormally, so the ball doesn't fit properly into the socket. It affects about 5 in 1,000 first born girls, especially breech ones. The numbers for boys, subsequent births, and non-breech are much lower. Treatment usually involves wearing some kind of brace or cast for 3 months or so, and severe cases (dislocation) can require surgery. It's important to detect the condition early so that treatment can begin while the joint is still forming.

Dorothy's case looks mild, so we're pretty sure surgery won't be necessary (this is the silver lining). The big black cloud is that she will likely have to wear some type of brace or cast (both of which are pretty immobilizing) for up to 3 months. It breaks my heart. She has really mastered crawling now, and is starting to cruise around furniture. Of course I want to do what's best for her, but this is going to be really hard.

I have lined up a few more appointments with subspecialists in order to get the most thorough diagnosis I can. I also found a bunch of helpful web sites, one of which is kind of an online support group: hip-baby.org. I'm hoping we'll make the right decision based on all of this.

[mharling]

I've been wondering about you; thanks for the update! A friend's dd had this, but it was detected at birth. She wore the brace that you described.

It sounds like you're doing the right things to take charge of this. Dorothy is very lucky! Please let us know how things proceed.

Mary & Lane 4/6/03
http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b3237413c427 - New 6/18

[mamahill]

Thank you so much for this information. My best friend had this when she was a baby (and she was a second-born daughter) and talked about how she would drag herself around with her casted legs behind her. The good news is, she went on to lead a completely normal life, was a cheerleader, and is now an extremely successful businesswoman, happily married, and just had her first baby:).

While this is going to be difficult, I'll wager it will be harder on you. Dorothy will learn to adapt. My thoughts are with you, and I hope you feel empowered that you are DOING something now.

Again, thank you so much for keeping us informed. I really appreciate new information. Were it not for my friend and you, I wouldn't know anything about this.

Best wishes...

[Karenn]

Michelle,
Thanks for posting the update. I'd been thinking about you too. I'm glad that Dorothy's case seems to be on the mild side. Good luck as you move towards treatment and let us know what ends up happening.

[Marisa6826]

Michelle-

I'm glad that you've taken such a positive approach about this. Even more so, I'm glad that Dorothy will be OK.

I know how scary it can be when suddenly there might be something wrong with your precious babe. I have to take Sophie to a ped opthalmologist next week and I'm starting to sweat it.

Please keep us updated on Dorothy's progress! I'm sure she will quickly learn to compensate while she's immobilized!

hugs

-m

[mama2be]

I've been thinking about you all too...
Those three months will go by quickly...and I suspect will add even more gusto to her adorable personalitiy...you know where to find me if needed...
[email protected]
we're thinking about you!!!! Keep us posted!!!

[blnony]

I'm so sorry you and Dorothy are going through this, but I'm so glad it was caught early. Esp. before she really starts walking. thank you for sharing your info about it. I too didn't know what the warning signs were.
I'm glad they don't think surgery is necessary. I've learned that babies are remarkably adapatable to things. I bet she gets through this with flying colors! :)
Please let us know if there is anything we can do...and I'll be thinking about you and wishing Dorothy very healthy vibes...:)

[egoldber]

So sorry you have to go through this! But, as others have said, I suspect it will be harder on you than on her! Babies are remarkably resilient and adaptable.

Good luck!

[cuca_]

I am sorry that the x-ray confirmed that Dorothy has hip dysplacia. As I told you in the other post, my DD was born with it too. Her hip actually was dislocated (It no longer is!). She is currently in a harness, and I think the whole thing was more traumatic for me than for her. I know that Dorothy is a few months older than my DD (she's almost 2 mos.), but I am sure both of you will quickly get used to it, you'll be amazed. I would push for the harness, rather than a cast, if this is an option. The advantage is that the harness is removable. I am allowed to take it off once a day for an hour max.

As others have said, you will be amazed how quickly three months goes by. As I said before, I have heard of many success stories, so I would not worry. Just make sure you get the best medical attention you can. My DD sees her doctor every two weeks, and has an ultrasuound every four weeks, and I am more than happy to drive 30 minutes each way.

By the way, my pediatrician told me that she now orders an ultrasound for baby girls who are breech. I think every doctor should do this. I think ours started this because her partner told us that our baby's hip was ok, despite the fact that a neonatologist said otherwise. Luckily my DH and I insisted that she refer us to an orthopedist. We no longer see that doctor.

Good luck with everything!

[bethwl]

I just wanted to add that I had this as a baby (both hips actually dislocated) and everyone's advice that it won't be hard on the baby are true IMO. I wouldn't even remember this if it weren't for the pictures of myself I have seen and hearing stories. I'm guessing my case was worse than your baby's, though, as I had first casts and then braces for more than a year. My dad built a little seat into a red wagon so he could pull me around since those casts and braces weighed so much. But my parents have said that I didn't seem unhappy, nor did it limit my mobility much. My mom said I even used the weight of the braces at one point to give my legs momentum to swing myself over the crib rail and crawl away on the floor. Anyway, the only remnants of this in my adult life are that I walk a little pigeon-toed. A pediatrician told my mom that to correct this he could break and reset both my legs. Luckily, she didn't think it was worth it. It doesn't really affect me now much--I don't have as great a range of outward motion in my hips as others do, but all this means is that I don't have great turn-out in ballet or pilates class. I've still been able to do many sports (played basketball in high school) and work out regularly (aerobics, dance classes--even ballet, lots of bike riding, kick boxing). So, I'm sure that 3 months will fly by and that your daughter will be fine!

Beth

[amp]

I just wanted to add that I also know a baby who had this at birth. She was in a harness for several months and it worked. She adapted just fine. She walked a little late, but I see her everyday and she is cruising along fine now. There is no sign of further difficulty and she is now 22 mths. Just saw her running around the driveway last night!

Hang in there and best of luck!

[mom2kandj]

So glad that Dorothy's case looks mild and treatable without surgery! I'm sure that the harness/cast will be a pain, but 3 months flies by sooooo fast. Good luck with the treatment and make sure to join a support group or have your pediatric ortho refer you to one! BTW, I posted in the Suggestion Box Forum for a WELL BABY Forum that could become home to situations like this, allergies, plagio etc! HTH!

Rose
mom 2 Katie (31 months)
& Jack (15 months)

[mam615]

What a great idea -- I've often thought about a separate forum for wellness issues. I'm going to the Sugg. Box to second it! Thanks for the happy thoughts,

[nigele]

Michelle,

Sorry to hear of Dorothy's troubles. My niece also has this condition and it doesn't look like she'll require surgery either. I know it is heartbreaking to find out your baby has a medical condition (my DS had eye surgery and now has to wear eyeglasses as well as an eye patch for 8-9 years.) I try to keep in mind that at least we did find out early and that 100 years ago, there would have been nothing they could do to help his condition.

Best of luck and please give little Dorothy a hug from me and Tom!

[parkersmama]

Michelle...I'm so sorry that you're having to deal with this but glad that you got an answer! You sound so positive about the outlook...good for you! Dorothy is a lucky girl to have a mommy like you!