Hi Ingrid,

My daughter was 5.5 months when diagnosed and comes out of the spica (plaster) in 2 weeks after almost 3 months. She will be eight months old this week.

Like Jasmin, the problem wasn't detected at 6 weeks even though she had uneven creases and an ultrasound. Apparently it was evident but an incompetent radiographer did the scan. By 5.5 months her shorter leg was quite evident.

Every experience is different and each specialist will recommend different treatment times and options. We are under the Sydney Westmead Orthopaedic Unit and Summer's treatment is 3 months spica then 3-6 months Dennis Brown Splint. It will depend on how bad the hips are as to the treatment however it is probably likely she will go into plaster due to her age.

At first I just cried for the whole week leading up to the closed reduction surgery (they cut the muscle to allow proper positioning of the legs) and for the first few days after we brought her home. I found her nappy changing absolutley barbaric and honestly wondered how I would cope for the next 3 months of not being able to bath her and care for her the same way.

But we worked it all out and I can honestly say it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. We have a food proof method for keeping the area clean and we treat Summer as normal as possible. She even drags herself around on the floor in the spica.

The hardest thing to accept is the delayed development but in the grand scheme of things it is such a short period of time in your child's life after which they will be caught up to the others soon enough.

Just put yourself in the good hands of someone who knows what they are doing and you will be fine.

Summer has coped so well and I have even contined breast feeding her throughout the time (had its challenges) so just stay strong and take it one day at a time.

If I can help anytime just send me a note.

BubbaGirl