Hip problems in babies

[Jodus]

Yes, me again.

My girls had their hip x-rays this morning, and they aren't right, they are "short" (the socket is too shallow, I think).

Doing nothing could result in problems with dislocation, walking or a permanent limp.

Worst case (and possible) scenario is that they will need to be in plaster from chest to foot for 18 weeks.

How the hell is that going to work? Car seats, nappies, washing? Anyone else had to deal with this?

[Qu1zMaster]

Is this the normal "clicky hip"?
It happens a lot, especially with girls. It is very treatable and the outlook is perfectly good.

Hopefully that's what it is anyway.

[JoeyJoeJoe]

My Fiance's sister had this when she was a child (29 years ago) and is perfectly fine since. I think it will be more an inconvienence than something to really worry about.

Hope all goes well.

[Qu1zMaster]

Here's more about it (if it's the same thing). See picture of M shaped harness for legs. Nappies would be no problem but I don't see how car transport could be arranged.
http://www.pediatric-orthopedics.com/Topics/DDH___Hip_Dysp/ddh___hip_dysp.html

[Dot.Bomb]

The cast is called a Bachelor or spica cast - usually rib cage to knee covered with a bar between the knees holding them apart. It looks awful and the child will have almost no mobility during the period. The district nurse will come out and help clean the baby but the cast will be STINKING after a few weeks.

A friends kid had their hip dislocated during birth and it wasn't spotted for over a year, so the bone had developed around the dislocation. A few operations to get the ball back into the socket and years later the little boy is fine.Still walks with a tiny limp but you wouldn't notice it unless you were looking out for it. I think a couple pins a plate will come out at a later date.

Oh and he didn't fit into a child seat. One of the parents used to sit in the back seat with him in their lap

[icequeen]

My cousin's little boy was in cast for about five months after he was born, also for a hip problem. It seems to be quite common. It was an inconvenience the parents, but it didn't bother him too much and he's perfectly fine now.

[harveythewonderhorse]

my niece had that, she just wore two nappies tightly tied.It's not a serious deal..

[Dell]

My sisters kid had this. Cast for about 6 months. She's fine now. Actually, she's veyr bright for her age. I think because she wasn't as mobile as other kids, she developed in other ways faster.

[Lanod]

Christ - seems quite common. Hopefully all will be well Jodus and it will just be a minor inconvenience.

[Jodus]

The transport thing will be impossible, give that we have two of them. We'll have to look at that.

Sure we'll see what the consultant says next week.

Thanks gang...

[Busaras]

Ahhh poor wee things - good luck

[Rowche Rumbler]

god, that sounds messy.

[RockyRoader]

Yes, me again.

My girls had their hip x-rays this morning, and they aren't right, they are "short" (the socket is too shallow, I think).
Doing nothing could result in problems with dislocation, walking or a permanent limp.

Worst case (and possible) scenario is that they will need to be in plaster from chest to foot for 18 weeks.

How the hell is that going to work? Car seats, nappies, washing? Anyone else had to deal with this?
Somnething like that happened my brother-in-law's daughter at that age too.
Don't know how they coped, but they managed to travel home from New York with the child in the cast. And she's perfectly fit, active and well now - she's ten.

Granted they only had the one patient on their hands - God bless you all there Jodus! Hang in there.

[oldster]

CDH is VERY common in girls. Plaster is often called the frog plaster because of the position of the legs. Plasters can get a little smelly and discoloured, but no big problem. Most kids in my experience were quite able to shuffle around on their tummies using hands and feet - resulting in frequent repairs on the knee area. Short term inconvenience saves a lifetime of disability and pain. Grit your teeth and smile IT IS NOT FOREVER. I wish you all the very best.

[Jodus]

I am not worried about the long term really, I know that this will solve what problem there is, just wondering how we will be able to manage them, and how they are going to be with it. Never mind the fact that they have to put them under for the initial procedure.

The thought of them restricted in that way upsets me.

[mmcg]

ah, it's only for awhile. And it means they won't be restricted later in life when chasing boys and drinking white lightning down at the playing fields...

[JoJo]

When you're with the consultant, see if you can get away with the 'double-nappy' approach rather than the plaster cast. Sometimes that's enough and they don't need the plastercast. I feel for you though - sounds like a difficult few weeks ahead. You should maybe investigate getting some home help or a nanny to give you both a hand. It's a lot to manage yourselves.

[Burger Rare]

I had that when I was a baby. I was in a frog plaster for months, but had to come out of it early as I was allergic to it. I'm fine now, thank God, perfectly mobile, able to walk, run, horseride, swim, the whole lot.

My parents had their neighbour make a shallow box from plywood and they put it in the back of the car, and me in it. They lined it with a duvet. Possibly not practical with twins though.

I shuffled around on my belly for ages, and as a result never really crawled. Once I got on my feet there was no stopping me though!

For my sister, the double nappy approach worked, no plaster, and she's also fine. (Neither of my brothers got it though, needless to say.)

Best of luck Jodus. Your girls will be fine, but it will be inconvenient for you for a while.

[julia]

I have a friend whose daughter just had this surgery last year. I'll ask her how she managed a car seat. I don't know what the laws are in Ireland, but in the States, it's illegal to not have your child in a car seat. You should probably ask your doctor about it.

[Jodus]

My wife had the double nappies as a baby, so it is her fault. :)

Sure we'll see what happens.

[Jodus]

I have a friend whose daughter just had this surgery last year. I'll ask her how she managed a car seat. I don't know what the laws are in Ireland, but in the States, it's illegal to not have your child in a car seat. You should probably ask your doctor about it.

Same here, all kids up to 12 (depending on some size factors) need to be in either a special seat or on a booster.

[julia]

I talked to her - she said she got a special car seat from the hospital. They tried the frog brace on her first, but it didn't work, so she wound up having surgery. Her legs were splayed out and casted. She said it was tough, but now her daughter's fine. It took her a little longer to walk, but she's a little over 2 years old now and walks just fine.

[JoJo]

This blog (http://camliner2.com/blog/elijahs-hip-dysplasia-story/) has some good tips on getting them into a car seat. Ask on rollercoaster.ie, magicmum.com and eumom.com too.

[Jodus]

Thanks gang.

Got confirmation yesterday that both girls will be going into plaster for 18 weeks (3 stints of 6 weeks, with a few days gap in between each).

All I'll say is - it better work!

[jam_mac_jam]

ah poor little things. my sister had it and she is fine now, not a bother you should see her dance.

[jam_mac_jam]

oh she is a grown up now. 21 and she never had any problems since, I hope they are ok.

[Jodus]

That is the only thing we are clinging to, that it is worth it in the long term.

But bloody hell, it'll be tough.

[jam_mac_jam]

ah it is worth it in the end, I remember going to the hospital with my dad with her and he was really upset, I had never seen him upset, as I was only a kid.It seems like ages but the time will go quicky, it goes far too quickly at that age. hopefully it's not too hard for you both.

[Jodus]

Well, they are in them now a week and a half, and after about 3 daysd of non-stop tears, they have settled ok, They are a little easier to manage, can't fall over if you sit them on the couch, but we hed to get a new buggy, car seats, clothes etc. to be able to get by.

They are bloody heavy though, and hard to lift. At least with a toddler about the same size (probably 2 stone each with the plaster on), they can help you out!

[Fancy]

Count the days off on a big chart, Jodus, or you & the missus ritually put a coin in a jar each day for a post-plaster treat for everyone. Start and end the day by telling them how brave and strong they are. Have them help each other, even if only to pass a biscuit, and praise them for it. Don't feel so bad for them you treat them as younger than they are, or they'll live up to expectations. Obviously some developmental stuff will have to wait, but things like waiting a minute, watching for consequence, entertaining themselves, exploring a toy, "yodeling", are still possible and can be encouraged so they don't get too passive and/or ratty.

My heart goes out to you, but you and your girlies will all be OK. Make sure you and the missus get a break once a week, no matter what!!

[Jodus]

My heart goes out to you, but you and your girlies will all be OK. Make sure you and the missus get a break once a week, no matter what!!

Thanks Fancy, nice thoughts.

They are too small to really get what's happening, but we make sure we entertain them, they are full of laughs, so I really don't think it bothers them. You can get your fingers inside the top of the cast and tickle their belly, which they love!

We did track their 42 days in ICU with a star on their incubator before we left each day, so maybe we'll do something that again - good thinkin'!

[Walls]

My nephew was in a cast on and off for the best part of two years. I'm not sure how his Mum coped with the car seat problem - I think she may have used a lot of cushions to raise him up and then just take it from there. What was difficult was that she didn't live in Dublin. She had another baby at home and a daughter aged three. Temple Street were good - the nurses were fine, and the consultant seemed both responsive and understanding to her questions.

The very hard stuff was that they had him in traction for three weeks at a year and a half. The pain really bothered him, and of course his Mum couldn't be there every day, could she? So she would have to go home to Kilkenny and leave Simon up here. I'd help out, but it's not the the same. Now THAT would have been hard. He started to walk at about two and an half years of age and is still two inches shorter than his brother, but gaining.

Still, now, he can beat up his twin brother with the best of them.

[Jodus]

Well the girls are into their second cast, first 6 week stint out of the way. They got used to it pretty well, they are actually easier to manage because you can sit them up on a chair or couch and they can't go anywhere! But they are heavy and they don't sleep or eat as well as normal.

The main downside was when they came out of them last week. Lexi in particular had quite a growth spurt, and the cast was digging in. She has some very bad sores on her thighs and waist/hips, which we only managed to clear up before they went back into them (they had a 10 day break).

But besides all they, they are great girls. They have their crazy days like us all, but they do the funniest things. Lexi has started to say DA-DA whenever she seems me, much to the annoyance of my wife, and Beau does her best to get out of the cast, rocking back and forward like she's in rodeo!

Life will never be the same again - thank God! :D

[Qu1zMaster]

Great to hear they're doing well.
How old are they again?

[Fancy]

Give em a pony nuzzle from me, they is TROOPERS!

[Jodus]

Give em a pony nuzzle from me, they is TROOPERS!

I do that all the time anyway, whinny

They are 8 1/2 months QM, in some ways it feels like yesterday, in some ways it seems like 5 years...