DDH / Clicky hips

[sharon1981]

Our daughter was diagnosed with DDH at 3 days old and put in a Pavlik harness at 5 days. Her right hip was boarder line ok but her left socket was flat.
She has been wearing her harness for 7 weeks now, her right hip is perfect and her left has shown improvement.
I just wanted to start this discussion as I have and am still finding this journey an emotional roller coaster. From the small things like not being able to see her tiny toes to the confusing medical jargon.
I'm here if anybody wants a chat  x

[BrownEyedGirl32]

Hi there,

My son has been in his Pavlik harness for 9 weeks. They discovered his right hip was dislocating at 6 weeks. To say I was devastated is an understatement. I cried for 2 days afterwards!

We have had a love/hate relationship with the harness. Took 3 weeks to get it fitting properly and then he developed an infected sore behind his knee which involved a trip to A&E!

On the other hand, I am so proud of the way my DS has coped. He lies there and let's me wash him, even though it takes ages! I now enjoy wash time as we laugh and chat with each other.

The time has flown in, he won't remember anything and remember it will save your LO from operations and plaster casts later on which IMO would be much worse to cope with. I am slightly nervous about it being removed as I suppose I am used to it now but I can't wait to see his wee legs kicking!

Keep your chin up and not long to go! By the time Summer is here it will be a memory and think of the pleasure we'll get from seeing our LO's bare legs kicking about!

What medical jargon is confusing you and I'll see if I can help.

[sharon1981]

I'm just hoping it works. Our first scan showed a massive improvement and our second scan showed no more improvement. I find the not knowing if it will work very hard to deal with. Have your scans always shown improvement? X

[BrownEyedGirl32]

The first scan showed improvement but we didn't get the second scan as the person doing the scan had been cited for court. We get another scan on the 28th March and if all okay the harness will come off. I'm really hoping, like you, that it is working.

The harness seems to have a 95% success rate so hopefully we will be in that number. It is very hard and I must admit I have had many moments of worry that things will go wrong. Our physio thinks the hip is in a better position and she said my DS is the most "challenging" baby she has had!

DDH is a "fixable" condition and am hoping that the harness will do the trick.

[sharon1981]

I shall be crossing my fingers for you for your scan. I'm sure it'll go just fine x

[mardarse]

I just wanted to pop by and say hang on in there, though I know it's hard.

DD had her DDH discovered at her 6-8 week check (which was 9 weeks in our area!) so she was just on the borderline to be put in a harness. I remember being totally floored when they put her in the harness, I cried for days so I sympathise. Her hip did improve and after 3 months in the harness the dratted thing finally came off. It was a happy, happy day when I could snuggle her close without the "thing" getting in the way.

She's now 4 and runs around like a loon, you'd never know that there was a problem. I had been advised that she might be slower to crawl or walk - not so. I hope this gives you both a little light at the end of the tunnel.

I really hope both your babies are out of the harness in no time. I am sure they will be. I guess a lot of the improvement happens when they are on a growth spurt and perhaps slows down a bit when they come out of it IYSWIM.

Hope all goes well.

[sharon1981]

Thanks hun, it does help to hear that these harnesses are worth it.

Been having a few days beating myself up lately. Holly-Mae has a scan next Thursday and I'm counting down the days but feel like I'm rushing her baby days away. Does that make sense? Xx

[BrownEyedGirl32]

Hi sharon,

Just to let you know my DS came out of his harness a week ago. A week earlier than expected which was a bonus! I nearly kissed the radiographer when he said his hips were normal as I had geared myself up for disappointment.

Initially my wee one didn't seem to be sure what to do with his legs but is now kicking away like mad and putting a little weight on his legs when I hold him up. It's lovely being able to cuddle him without the harness on.

Just hang in there, hopefully not long to go and this shows it does work.

Hope your scan went/goes well. Good luck!

[sharon1981]

That's fabulous news . You must be loving having a squishy baby.

Our scan went really well, Holly's hips are now perfect at 60 degrees but our dr wants her to keep her harness on for another 5 weeks and then have an X-ray as they were so bad. Then we will be able to start weaning her of it. A little way to go but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel xx

[jellybelly18]

Hi anyone had any experience of DDH with an older baby? My DD is 27 weeks and it has just been found. I'm really worried for her. one of her legs is longer than the other too