Hello Jo

My daughter Grace was diagnosed with a dislocated
right hip at five months. She was also breech, but it
was missed at the 8-week check.
She had a closed reduction and was put into a spica
cast for 6 weeks. (They had to cut a small tendon in
her groin to release the leg, but this was very
minor). She was just in hospital for the day. The
worst part was having to see her being anaethesized
and waiting for it to be over, but I was amazed how
well she seemed afterwards - we came home at tea time
and she seemed pretty much as happy as normal.
I didn't find breastfeeding a problem. The cast made
her bottom half a bit rigid, but she was able to feed
comfortably - it was also a good source of comfort to
both of us, I think!
We were lucky that Grace was only in her cast for 6
weeks. I think they usually put another one
afterwards, but she had a plastic splint which she
wore continuously for about 3 months and then at night
for a further two months.
I don't know what your daughter's treatment will be,
but as they have found the problem early, the outcome
is likely to be better than if it wasn't found until
she was older. You will probably also find that she
copes really well with the cast - it will be harder
for you than her!
Good luck - let us know what happens and if you need
any more help or advice.

Hazel

--- Jo Bayliss <jo.bayliss@...> wrote:
> Hi, I have an 11 week old daughter, Emilia, who has
> a fully dislocated left hip. She was diagnosed
> following a routine scan at 8wks, offered because
> she was breech.
>
> She's had just 9 days in a Pavlik harness as the
> consultant said he was sure it wouldn't work, it
> came off last Thursday. We have to go & see him
> again on the 27th Jan. He has told us he will refer
> us to Birmingham Childrens hospital for her
> treatment. Can anyone help with my questions
> please:
>
> Will she have a closed reduction at this age?
>
> If so, how will we get on as she is breast-fed?
>
> How long will she be in hospital for?
>
> How long will she have a spica cast on for?
>
> Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Our
> health visitor has only seen 2 previous cases in her
> 15yr career, so we're alone in this area &
> struggling to find support. I hope this group is my
> lifeline.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jo
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>


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