Wiggs - We went through the Royal Childrens Hospital Melbourne as a public and found it great. At six weeks we had the ultrasound on the Wed, results back to GP on the Thurs, on the Fri morning she faxed through referral to RCH, Friday afternoon got a phone call - could we go in first thing Monday morning, we had an ultrasound again they like to do their own for a baseline and Denis Brown brace was fitted after that session. I don't think it was an orthapedic surgeon we saw letter just says Dr/Clinician but she is great. Not sure if that was all so quick because she was young and the dysplasia was severe so they got us in quick (now at almost six months we are brace free) but I think they have clinics specifically for babies. I have been so impressed by the RCH and has cost us nothing (apart from the parking at the hospital) - way it seems to work is they book you in for an ultrasound or xray (depending on babies age) and then in to see the Dr/Clinician to review the us/xray and then you go to Orthotics department where they fit the brace etc.
Everyone else
Have been meaning to post but lost the new thread - CJ is now out of the brace fulltime, the ultrasound after six weeks of wearing only at night showed no improvement from the previous one but they were happy with coverage was just the angle they wanted to sharpen up a bit, but as the brace didn't seem to be correcting that and they think is just an immaturity thing said we could stop wearing it altogether as issue is now only very mild. We have to have an x-ray just before christmas and there is the chance could have to go back in brace but fingers crossed.
Naomi- we only had issue with bar going down but we had no harness as you know and also CJ less mobile, did they mention about sleeping with a pillow under Bailey's legs - with CJ the harness sort of held her legs in the air so they said put a pillow under them to make more comfortable and to keep the brace in a better position.
Wiggs - Bailey started his treatment (denis brown abduction brace 23.5 hours per day) the day he turned 7 months (which was monday this week) and his issue is with the acetabular angle of the hips, rather than the coverage which is 'good'. Our Ortho surgeon said that when bracing babies after 6 months they tend to be treated as per their age - so a 6 month baby will wear a brace for 6 months, an 8 month baby for 8 months and so on, not sure if this is relevent to your DD situation though as I am unsure what they consider to be mild, moderate or severe.
Vic - The Orthotist told us to put a rolled up nappy or towel so Bailey is rolled slightly to the side while sleeping, rather than laying flat on his back, just for comfort so have been doing that. I might actually put a rolled up nappy under his legs as well though as now that I think about it his legs are a bit 'dangly'. He has been sleeping really well this week, I think trying to move around in the brace is tiring him out, he is absolutely buggered when he goes to bed. I'll have everything crossed for you that CJs next appt goes well and she gets the all clear
Thanks girls for all the congratulations regarding Lahni coming out of the pavlik harness.
She is so happy now, that she is only in the brace that she is in. ( even though she was happy while in the Pavlov) it actually took her 2 days to adjust to not having the harness on.. it took her a day to adjust to the harness when it first went on lol.
She is loving her baths, and the freedom of moving her legs a bit more!! you can see the joy in her eyes.
crosswig - goodluck for the ultrasound in 2 weeks time, will be thinking of you and your Little one.
wiggs - Sorry to hear that your DD has moderate hip dysplaysia, but at least its been picked up now, she'll thank you when she is older.Sorry i have no info about the hospital in Melb. Im going through a privet peds.. he is fantastic and i highly recommend him, and he gets babies in quick smart with hip problems.. but i guess sale is a bit far for you guys to travel? When the health nurse thought Lahni had HD she was 1 week and 4 days old, he got us in when she was 2 weeks... best doctor ever, he's name is Dr. Peter Goss.
I hope your dd gets in quick wherever you decide to go, and her treatment is quick.
wysiwyg - congrats on CJ getting out of the brace full time!! i bet she is lovin it!!
Wiggs - we went through the RCH privately. The orth surgeon we used was Michael Johnson PM if you want his contact details. We found him to be vewry good, we used him with DD1, with DD2 we used our paed because it wasn't very severe but if DD2 wasn't responding quickly to treatment we would have gone back to Michael. My understanding is he actually does work in the public clinic as well. In terms of costs going privately you pay for the brace Pavlik was about $150, DB bar was $250 and that includes all app with Othotics then you pay for each visit to specialist (all specialists charge differently) and then you would pay for the ultrasounds, however sometimes these are bulk billed.
I don't know from experience but I had been told the wait to go public was about a month.
you can see the joy in her eyes.
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