Hip Dysplasia - A Personal Account

Allison Joy

DIS Veteran
Joined
Oct 25, 2015
At first I wasn't sure if this was an appropriate place to post this, but once I read the board description, I decided it did fit, so here goes. Don't worry. It's nothing controversial. Ha! I keep trying to write some eloquent intro, but I think I'll just jump straight in. (I also changed the title of this thread about 5 times in my head. Ha!)

Did You Know?

June is Hip Dysplasia Awareness month, also known as “Healthy Hips Month.” I always like to say that Developmental Dysplasia of the Hips (DDH) is probably one of the most common disorders you’ve never heard of. As many as one in 10 infants may have some mild hip instability at birth, but most cases resolve on their own with no treatment. I’ve seen various statistics about how many infants need treatment, but it is actually one of the most common birth abnormalities. Despite that, it’s often not until someone has had personal experience with DDH through themselves, a family member, or friend, that they’ve even heard about it.

If you've followed my posts on here, then you may know that for me, it’s personal. I had DDH as a child, but it wasn’t caught until I was 9 years old. The picture below is me in my cast, after my surgery when I was nine. (You can click it for a bigger picture.) The most effective treatment is when a child is diagnosed before they are 6 months old, but so many cases are not caught by then. For those who are diagnosed later, like I was, I'm actually one of the lucky ones. I only needed surgery and a cast once as a child. It may have led to my way too early hip replacement, but no one really know for sure There are too many who need multiple surgeries and casts as a child.
Hip Surgery Age 9.jpg

In recent years, I have tried to use my experience to advocate for DDH. For example, did you know that there are ways to promote healthy hip development in infants? Tight swaddling and any position where a child's legs are straight (or nearly straight) and close together for long periods of time (think "bumpo" type seats, as well as some carriers) can be a risk factor. I'm not saying you need to avoid these all together, or that short periods of time are bad, but, especially if you know you have a family history of DDH, it's something to consider avoiding.

I have found various ways to try to support other families who are going thorough the DDH journey. Though social media, I have meet so many amazing DDH families. I love sharing my story and answering questions. If this thread starts to serve as a resource/support system for hip dysplasia, I'd love that. If this ends up being a "one and done" thread that's fine too. If you find this thread years later, and don't want to "bump" it, then please feel free to message me. I would love to be a resource for you!
 
Last edited:
DD’s PED detected a hip-click at her very first visit after coming home - so at about 1 week. Orthopedic specialist had her in a Pavlik harness by a month old. She wore that full time for about 10 weeks, then a month or so of weaning. She continued with periodic check-ins until about age 10 but no further treatment. She has had PT since she was a year-old.

We were advised not to allow her to “W” sit — with heels outside and back towrds the hips. She was taught “criss-cross-applesauce” instead.

Other than that I guess we’ve been lucky. She doesn’t seem to have any hip problems. Once in a while she would complain of a “pop” but it was determined to be a ligament rolling over (something?) and disappeared as she grew.
 
I have no experience with hip dysplasia...but did have a severe hip injury last year.
I just wanted to say...you were cute as a bug in that photo! :-) And looked much younger than 9yrs old.

Thanks for offering your journey as a help to others!
 
I have no experience with hip dysplasia...but did have a severe hip injury last year.
I just wanted to say...you were cute as a bug in that photo! :-) And looked much younger than 9yrs old.

Thanks for offering your journey as a help to others!
I have always been a tiny thing, except for right at birth. Ha! There’s more to my story than the hip dysplasia, and I’m more than happy to share that, too... I just focused on the DDH for this post. :)
 
I found this very interesting and would hope you will keep it updated.
I know my sister had this as a young child but family financial and other problems contributed to premature end to child treatment and “ living “ with this and finding it contributes to health issues for senior citizens.

Actually current corona issues will overpower all other medical news unfortunately.
 
DD’s PED detected a hip-click at her very first visit after coming home - so at about 1 week. Orthopedic specialist had her in a Pavlik harness by a month old. She wore that full time for about 10 weeks, then a month or so of weaning. She continued with periodic check-ins until about age 10 but no further treatment. She has had PT since she was a year-old.

We were advised not to allow her to “W” sit — with heels outside and back towrds the hips. She was taught “criss-cross-applesauce” instead.

Other than that I guess we’ve been lucky. She doesn’t seem to have any hip problems. Once in a while she would complain of a “pop” but it was determined to be a ligament rolling over (something?) and disappeared as she grew.

Our daughter had the same "no W sitting" rule from the doctors at Shriner's; hip rotation movements were a regular part of her home PT routine for years. Luckily, her hips don't bother her now nearly as much as her feet and ankles do (not surprising, given the severity of her initial clubfeet and the amount of work that was done to fix her feet) but aside from the same "rolling ligament" issue that occurs very rarely in her right hip, we have been very fortunate.
 
I have always been a tiny thing, except for right at birth. Ha! There’s more to my story than the hip dysplasia, and I’m more than happy to share that, too... I just focused on the DDH for this post. :)

I'd love to hear the rest of your hip experienced if you don't mind sharing. I've read bits and pieces that you've posted before and it always makes me smile to see how far you've come with it all and how positive you are despite the challenges you've faced. While I don't have dysplasia (though doctors thought I did for a while), I've had numerous issues (repetitive labral tears, FAI, tendonitis, bursitis, osteoarthritis, nerve damage, a couple of surgeries) with my hip since I dislocated it when I was 17 (I'm 30 now).
 



GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top