uneven leg creases, now worried!

[shellbell3]

We had our 4 month mchn appt today and one thing she picked up was Em has uneven leg creases in her thighs which can mean hip probs.
When I was changing her nappy this evening I thought I'd have a good look and also found that her right leg was slightly longer than the left cause of this.
So now I am all worried, we are due to see GP monday morn.
Anyone else had this and what did the GP do to assess? What was your outcome?

[Mumma2three]

Dont worry!! My DD had this and had no hip probs. I would suggest seeing a chiro though, I take all my babies to a chiro as they are often out of shape just due to the birth.
And also remember, hip probs are correctable so it isn't the worst thing if there is aprob, it will all be fine. xoxo

[minimatron]

Hey Shellbell. Uneven creases can be a sign of hip dysplasia and sometimes they are not. When going to the gp get them to have a look, they will rotate her hips to feel if there is a clunk. They will probably order and ultrasound or xray to have a look at whats going on in there.

Both my girls had hip dysplasia. DD1 had a harness on from 5 weeks of age. She was born a normal delivery and wasnt breech. She did have positional tallipes (feet turned in) and uneven creases. DD2 required no treatment, however she had uneven creases and her foot was...how do i put it...funny...the top of her foot touched the outside of her calf. Feet problems can also indicate a problem.

Sorry for rabbiting on but there are many things that can indicate a problem. The best thing to do is to get her checked out by ultrasound/xray. It is much easier to have treatment the younger they are than if you leave it (if there is an problem at all). If you have further questions there is a hip dysplasia support group in the special needs section.

[Curly]

My DD had uneven leg creases and was referred to a paed but he said they were fine...the depth of the creases was identical which was the important thing.

I also take her to an osteopath - have been doing so since she was born because she held her head to the one side...and favoured that side to sleep, when rolling etc. It is resolving itself nicely.

[skybie]

hi shellbell our MCHN picked up on DD's uneven leg creases at the same age as ur bub, took her to the GP the same day because i paniced and everything was fine, he actually laughed from memory!.
thats not to say that it will be nothing but u should get it checked.

[shellbell3]

Yeah I'm just worried now cause also found right leg to be a bit longer and when I felt her hips for that bony part it was symetrical across both sides which really makes me think something is wrong.

Thanks for all the replies.

[megs]

Hi Shellbell3,

My now 2 month old son has just been picked up for having uneven leg creases, he actually has an extra one, and his left leg is shorter than right.
My MHN has checked hips and they don't appear to be moving but Dr recommended to have scan just to be safe.

Like you I am really hoping that it is nothing.

[DoubleK]

i havent had a chance to read all the replies, but we had the same thing.. dd had an extra crease in her right leg. the MCHN suggested we take her to the GP, the GP wanted an xray, because he was worried that the MCHN was concerned about it. we had the xray done, and results sent to a paed.. who looked at the xray and sais there was nothing at all to be worried about, and bulk billed my consultation (which was $150!)

im not saying its nothing, but i was so stressed out about it, thanks to all these docs, and everything was fine in the end!

[megs]

Thanks Krystal Ball,

Its good to hear that some babies do just have an extra skin fold. I know that Jack's hips don't dislocate when being rotated so I'm trying to stay positive that it is nothing.

[shellbell3]

Thanks for your replies.
GP sent us for an ultrasound just to be sure as her left hip was harder to rotate but wasn't dislocating which was good sign and they were uneven.
So ultrasound showed that its not dislocating but the coverage of the socket over the ball was borderline, the technician consulted with Dr there and it came back just over on the good side of the borderline and apparantly can only improve not worsen with time, so thats a relief. $202 later!

[~Saram~]

Good to hear you got some good news! I would also second seeing a chiro.

I had one leg longer than the other for well... we don't know how long but at 12 I was seeing an orthopedic surgeon for scholiosis (curve of the spine) as well as knee problems (was told I would need double knee replacememt by 21) Saw a chiro at 14 before they looked at putting a brace on my spine to find the problem actually located in my pelvis. Within 4-6 wks my knees felt 100% and at my next orth appoint surprise surprise the curve was reversing.

I go about every 3 month to have my pelvis realigned as it was out for so long the muscles are sort of stuck that way. Both my kids go to chiro every 6mths or so just to have a check over so something like this doesn't happen to them. You never know it might help the problem a little