Let me start with something very important – none of what follows is medical advice. If you have any concerns, you should talk to a doctor you trust. Every experience with hip dysplasia is different, and there are a lot of decisions one can makes along the way. I’m always happy to talk about our experience, but just remember to seek professional advice.
Where My Story Begins
I have spent a lot of time in physical therapy throughout my life. As a lifelong athlete, I have had a lot of injuries, and more surgeries than I’d like to think about. In 2016, I was dealing with some fairly significant hip pain and quickly learned two things. I had hip dysplasia and a labrum tear. I ended up having my first major hip surgery at age 29, which repaired the tear and helped me get back, almost back, to baseline.
My Daughter’s Initial Diagnosis
When my daughter was born in 2019, the hospital pediatrician did a routine hip check during her first few days of life, and sure enough – they heard the tell-tale clicking sounds that meant we would need to do further investigation. Given my history and the fact that she was breech until 37 weeks, it was a strong possibility. Six weeks later, we were at an ultrasound, and soon after it was confirmed – she had severe hip dysplasia.
We immediately began treatment, which meant she would wear a Pavlik Harness for about 10 weeks. After the immediate shock wore off, we were ready to get through it. What I quickly learned was that there was relatively little information out there about this treatment. It took quite a bit of research and practice to learn where to buy clothes, understand how to clean the Harness and figure out how to breastfeed her in it. We ended up ordering specialty clothing from Etsy in the UK, cleaned the harness as best we could (she was in it literally 24/7), and did a whole lot of the “football hold” to ensure she was eating. It wasn’t easy, but we did it!
Out Of The Harness
I’ll never forget the moment we took her out of her harness. I brought her into the bath – the first real bath she had been in for three months. It felt so good to see her delight in the feeling. Her little legs stayed in the same position for quite a few days, and she continued to develop well. Her next few ultrasounds showed that she was on the right track, and we were assured that we had nothing to worry about at this point.
One Year Later
After a blissful six months since our last ultrasound, we went in for her one-year hip check with a new doctor in a new state (we had arrived in MA!). I went in expecting to get cleared for another year, and off we would go to enjoy the rest of our day. Unfortunately, we found out that her dysplasia was not improving as it had been. She would need to go into another brace – this time a Rhino Brace – for a full year. At this point, she had just begun to walk, to babble, to explore. We were once again devastated (but still, I have an incredible amount of perspective – this could have been so much worse). And so off we went to get her fitted in her new brace.
Luckily during this treatment, we were able to give her one hour out of the brace each day. The experience with this brace was much more challenging, especially as she neared two years old. We dealt with many challenging nights where she would get stuck, rashes that wouldn’t go away, and a journey of figuring out how to get her to fit in car seats, high chairs, and clothes. At the same time, we watched her strength and resilience – she quickly learned to walk in the brace, and soon after she was running in it. She danced and lived her life. She did not for one second let it stop her from learning and growing and becoming.
Present Day
After her year of treatment in the Rhino Brace, our little girl was doing great. Her most recent set of X-Rays were very reassuring, and we are cleared until she’s about five. At that point, we’ll need to decide whether she’ll have surgery or continue with conservative treatment. My journey has continued as well. Throughout our visits with her wonderful orthopedic surgeon, I became a patient as well. I’m now preparing for my second major hip surgery this year. I know this will be another journey, but I know I can do anything if my daughter could go through what she did.
For anyone who is going through a Hip Dysplasia diagnosis, please know you can reach out to me at any time if you need support or a shoulder to cry/laugh/rest on. I felt so lonely throughout the journey because I didn’t know anyone else going through it. So just know that I’m here.
