Update on DD

[BC-MuttonStew]

Me and my dh took our youngest dd to her followup appointment with her pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Another x-ray was done on her hips. There is not much improvement since the last time we brought her in. Then I asked the doctor about her neck (torticollis). She sent us back to x-ray to get a c-spine view. Went back to the exam room and she said there are no problems with her neck/spine.

She then told us since her hip hasn't made much of an improvement...she wanted to get our dd into a hip brace. That's when I asked her more questions about our dd's problem. My main question this time was if she does or does not have dysplasia. The doctor said that she does have it. I let her know that I was confused about the diagnosis because she (the doctor) said that our dd's hips are in the sockets. She went more into detail of why it is still dysplasia.

The ball is in the socket for the right side/hip. The ball is also in the socket on the left side/hip...but, the angle of the hip is steep. What this means is if the angle of that side doesn't come down, the ball can easily come out of the socket down the road when she's walking. The doctor let us know there is a slight chance of surgery. That is "if" the brace is not able to get that side set correctly.

I asked her how long she will need to wear the brace. She was unable to give a time frame. She said it could be anywhere from 3 months to 3 years. It all depends on when the hip will work itself back to where it should be.

She sent us to another part of the hospital to get her fitted for the brace. It broke our hearts to see her being placed into one. We are definitely going to have to buy another car seat. She cannot fit into her car infant car seat with that thing on her.

Unexpectantly, my parents came over last night. They wanted to get a lesson on how to put her into the brace and get more information on her condition. I have such loving parents. I'm really lucky to have them in our lives.

[Blue]

Poor punkin' sounds like she is in the same thing as Taite .. and it sucks! Although Taite still fits in her infant carseat thank goodness.

Hopefully she will heal fast and will be a running maniac in no time! 's

[_g_]

sending hugs out to you.
my dh wore a brace for almost 2 years. my mil says he could run and cllimb very fast despite the apparatus. i'm thankful that your dd can get this resolved early on. she won't remember it at all.

[BC-MuttonStew]

Blue - I think you're right. Just never thought my baby would need to be in one. How old is your LO? I hope yours will get through the brace quickly as well. It's no fun. Thanks for your kind words.

g - thanks to you as well. I really appreciate it. Wow, 2 years seems like a really long time. I can't imagine how that could have been for him. Happy it resolved itself with him wearing the brace.

The first night was really rough. She woke up every 1/2 hour. Didn't get much sleep that night. Tonight, she screamed herself to sleep. DH got her to calm down by reclining her by putting her halfway lying on a pillow. She's still sleeping soundly right now.

[Blue]

Originally Posted by BC-MuttonStew

Blue - I think you're right. Just never thought my baby would need to be in one. How old is your LO? I hope yours will get through the brace quickly as well. It's no fun. Thanks for your kind words.

My babe was born July 29, 2008. So just a wee one right now but chubby one ha ha ha I have found that Carter's sleepers fit over the harness and sleepers that do up in the middle instead off to the sides fit better. Also because she has to wear socks under the harness they leave imprints from the pattners .... so I have turned them inside out so she gets the soft cotton part and the threads are on the outside instead of against her legs.

Keep us posted about your sweet pea!

[BC-MuttonStew]

Thanks for your update. Congratulations on the birth of your LO. Aubrey really cannot stand the harness still. It's really awkward when holding her. I will sure keep you posted on how she's doing.