Neil Said:

1 Year old daughter - possible hip problems? Help?

We Answered:

First of all I'm sorry to hear about your Grandma.

I was born without a hip socket, I think they called it hip displacia or something like that and it wasn't noticed until I was about 6 or 7 months when my mom took my brother to a specialist and he noticed it on me as my doctors had missed it. I had a surgery and they sort of hung me upside down for a few days. My mom was devastated but at the hospital they brought all the other worried moms going through the same thing in to see me because I was a very happy upside down baby who found the whole thing fun but obviously I don't remember. I had the hip brace for a couple months but within weeks of getting it off I was walking (10 months) and I also had very strong arms and got around easily despite the brace. Now I'm fully grown, tall, and nobody would ever know I had hip problems as a baby. Also this was 25 years ago so medicine has gotten better too. I'm sure it'll be harder on you than your baby and she will be fine. It's good that it was caught now than later when it could have led to problems. I know it's hard but everything will be okay.

Randall Said:

1 Year old daughter - possible hip problems? Help?

We Answered:

I find it strange they have only picked up on it now. My babies hips were checked at birth, before leaving the hospital and at every health centre appointment. My sons hips are a little clicky so they are going to give him an ultrasound to see how they are but he is only 10 weeks old.
when treating babies 6months to 1 year, your orthopedic surgeon will place the child under general anesthesia. This usually allows the hip to assume the proper position. Once in this position, the child will be placed in a spica cast. The cast is similar to the Pavlik harness, but allows less movement. This is needed in older children to better maintain position of the hip joint.
For children over 1 year old they often need surgery to reduce the hip joint into proper position. The body can form scar tissue that prevents the hip from assuming its proper position, and surgery is needed to properly position the hip joint. Once this is done, the child will have a spica cast to hold the hip in the proper position.

I dont want to worry you but the folds in the legs can be a sign of hip dyslasia but sometimes its nothing too. Lie her down on her back and see if her body on both sides runs evenly with her neck. If not that too is another sign. You should google hip dysplasia there s loads of information that you may find useful. Dont read too much though as too much reading can cause unnecessary worry