One "Hip" Momma: Try not to blink .....

April 22, 2009

Try not to blink .....

Or before you know it, your sweet baby girl will be E-I-G-H-T !!

Eight years .... today. It feels strange to read, even stranger to say.

"Eight years" Daddy said to me yesterday, shaking his head, I'm sure feeling as strange as Mommy does saying it! We were so, very excited the day you were born. As if we knew how special you would be. As if we knew what a quiet impact you would have on everyone you would meet, what an impact you would have on everyone who hears your story.

Eight years feels like a lifetime and a blink all at the same time. You are so full of life, laughter, love and energy it is hard to imagine that you were born with a broken heart. It is hard to imagine all that you have been through in eight short years. How do we put all that you mean to us into words ... you are our hope, our little heart warrior, our light, our giggles, our snuggles.

We are so very, very proud of you and love you more than, at times, we can even imagine.

XO,

Daddy and Mommy

1 comment:

Blessed Mom of Four AND More said...: Blink again, and she'll be turning 21!
Oh my, I cannot imagine the stress level you've had lately.
Prayers coming,
Robbie; April 25, 2009 at 3:52 PM

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

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.