One "Hip" Momma: At a loss ...

September 29, 2008

At a loss ...

Right at this very moment I don't know how to put everything I am feeling into words .... so I'll start with these :)

We started off today with Jackjack in this ....

and then they did this (AFTER an xray to make sure his hips were still in a good position) ....

and then we got to do this (yes ... I was weepy ~ he's soooo big now & soooo soft & cuddly) ...

now Jackjack is in this .....

see what I mean !?!? We go back to see Dr. "J" next Monday to make sure his hips haven't dislocated again, the brace is the right size still & to plan where we go from here .... I am pooped :) Jackjack is doing great as long as the Craig Abduction Brace is on, he is in pain when I take it off to change his diaper or give him a bath .... give him a bath ~ I love saying that, it feels like forever since he had his last one in May! His pain should lessen as the week goes on & his muscles loosen. I will get some better pictures tomorrow & post them with a much better update, I promise :)

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what is developmental hip dysplasia ?

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) or congenital hip dysplasia (CDH) describes a variety of conditions in which the hip doesn't develop properly.

The hip is a "ball and socket" joint. Normally the top of the thigh bone (femur) has a round ball shape (femoral head) which fits into a cup-like socket on the pelvis (acetabulum). There are a range of developmental and congenital hip conditions that can affect babies and children.

In the mildest forms, the socket may fail to grow deep enough. In the more sever forms, the femoral head may be displaced completely out of the socket and be dislocated.

Following are terms you will become familiar with if your sweet child is diagnosed with DDH:

Subluxation - There is incomplete contact between the ball (femoral head) and cup (acetabulum) of the hip.

Dislocation - There is absolutely no contact betweeb the femoral head and acetabulum.

Instability - The hip is in the correct spot but can be moved in or out of the socket with gentle manipulation.

Teratologic Dislocation - This is an antenatal dislocation of the hip.

Hopefully, DDH will be diagnosed right after birth. Your Doctor will perform a hip check on your new baby to listen for a "click" or "clunk" as he/she moves the hip into different positions. One hip should be examined at a time, gently, with your baby relaxed. The examiner should have his/her thumb on your baby's inner thigh and the index finger around baby's hip to the back. The trick is to move the knee out to "froggy" position.

In our case, just a "twirling" of both knees was done and DDH was missed for an entire year ... by 8 different Doctors and Nurses!

When a child reaches 3 to 6 months, if the hip is dislocated it will be in a fixed position. With your little one on his/her back, lift both knees together and place those sweet feet flat on the floor. If one knee is higher/lower than the other please ask for further diagnosis.

Other signs that DDH may be present and undiagnosed are:

- uneven thigh rolls or wrinkles

- inability to "straddle sit" your hip

- fighting hip checks during well baby visits

- a slouch with sitting

- a dragging leg or a limp while walking

Depending on when DDH is diagnosed and the severity of your child's DDH determines what treatment will be used.

Please, trust your instincts, and ask for your child to be checked if you suspect DDH.