X-rays of Elsa's hips showing how high up and dislocated her R hip is
Monday, July 5, 2010
A dislocated hip for Elsa
We found out in mid-June that Elsa has a dislocated right hip and requires hip surgery (known as an open reduction where they will insert a metal plate) and then be in a spica cast for 6-8 weeks. It's never easy for a parent to hear that their child needs surgery but you take in the news, sleep on it and then feel a little bit more prepared for whats to come.
It was first noticed that Elsa had uneven hip creases when she was about 10 months old. I took her to the GP to get it checked out and everything seemed fine, hips weren't clicking and the GP put it down to an extra roll of fat. When Elsa started walking, she would tip toe on her right foot now and then but as the months went on she started to tip toe on her right foot more and more. At 15 months Plunket said to discourage her from tip toeing as they can form a habit doing this but there was no mention about getting her hips checked out again. Then at 18 months something told me to take her back to the GP.
Sure enough the GP found her legs were uneven in length with the right foot being shorter, the uneven hip crease was quite evident and when Elsa walked the GP noticed the tip-toeing. We got sent off for an x-ray the following day and I could tell by looking at it that her right hip was not right. That afternoon we met with an orthopaedic surgeon who examined Elsa and confirmed she did have a dislocated right hip and would require surgery.
We now have a date for Elsa's surgery which is the 28th July and she will have this done at Starship Hospital. I have been reading as much information as I can as well as joined a couple online groups who have had children go through similar surgeries as Elsa and I have been able to ask questions and have my fears laid to rest. I have also met a lovely woman whose daughter had hip surgery at 13 months and it was great to chat with her over a cup of coffee and pick her brains.
We are in this for the long haul as Elsa will not be happy about not being able to move as she's such an active wee thing, but we are determined to keep as much of her life as normal as possible and not let her miss out on thing just because she's in a spica cast. She has no idea what's about to come her way but they do say it's harder for the parents than the patient and I so hope they're right.
It was first noticed that Elsa had uneven hip creases when she was about 10 months old. I took her to the GP to get it checked out and everything seemed fine, hips weren't clicking and the GP put it down to an extra roll of fat. When Elsa started walking, she would tip toe on her right foot now and then but as the months went on she started to tip toe on her right foot more and more. At 15 months Plunket said to discourage her from tip toeing as they can form a habit doing this but there was no mention about getting her hips checked out again. Then at 18 months something told me to take her back to the GP.
Sure enough the GP found her legs were uneven in length with the right foot being shorter, the uneven hip crease was quite evident and when Elsa walked the GP noticed the tip-toeing. We got sent off for an x-ray the following day and I could tell by looking at it that her right hip was not right. That afternoon we met with an orthopaedic surgeon who examined Elsa and confirmed she did have a dislocated right hip and would require surgery.
We now have a date for Elsa's surgery which is the 28th July and she will have this done at Starship Hospital. I have been reading as much information as I can as well as joined a couple online groups who have had children go through similar surgeries as Elsa and I have been able to ask questions and have my fears laid to rest. I have also met a lovely woman whose daughter had hip surgery at 13 months and it was great to chat with her over a cup of coffee and pick her brains.
We are in this for the long haul as Elsa will not be happy about not being able to move as she's such an active wee thing, but we are determined to keep as much of her life as normal as possible and not let her miss out on thing just because she's in a spica cast. She has no idea what's about to come her way but they do say it's harder for the parents than the patient and I so hope they're right.
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