Possible Hip Dysplasia - being sent for an xray

Yesterday was DS's 16 week MCHN visit (he was 17 weeks on Sunday, and will be 14 weeks adjusted on Thurs). She noticed that the skin creases in his legs were not identical. She remarked that they definitely were identical at his prior visit (8 weeks I think). She didn't hear any clicking but said that since we were going to the GP for vaccinations today (which I had mentioned to her), she gave me a note to give to the GP.

The GP checked DS out and agreed that the creases were not identical (it's very obvious that they are not) but that they were at our last visit (also 8 weeks - for shots). DS was also checked out by a pediatrician (the one who was in the delivery room) about a month ago (maybe a bit more) who I have to assume saw nothing remarkable because he didn't mention a thing (and he's good and thorough).

The GP said that 1 - since the MCHN noted it and 2 - DS has 2 out of 5 of the risk factors (premature birth and non-identical creases), she wants him to be x-rayed with a possible ultrasound if the pediatric radiologist deems appropriate. I'm booked in for Tuesday morning.

DS has also seen a chiro who checked him out from head to toe initially and didn't mention a thing.

I did some things I found in another thread - checked DS's knee height while lying on floor with feet flat - they were identical; and brought his feet together in front of his face and then separated them to see if one leg could go farther than the other - identical again.

What are the chances that DS has dysplasia after having no signs of it up until now (16 weeks)?

Being that DS is 16 weeks (13 weeks adjusted), is it too late for the harness (which I understand to be the less invasive treatment)? How worried should I be? All of the sudden Tues feels very far away.

Hey hun!

There is a hip dysplasia support group in here which will have lots of things there about ages and harnesses and things. IF he has it, you'll probably be sent to an orthopedic surgeon who will then review and decide what treatment he needs. It isn't too late for the harness at all, but it will depend on how severe it is, if he has it at all. There are several different kinds of harness. It's impossible to try not to worry. There have been kids who have been diagnosed as babies, and others who haven't shown a sign until they're walking. Wishing you all the best with it, let us know how you go :hug:

Just wanted to wish you luck for tomorrow. Hope it's a great outcome for you :hug:

Thanks everyone for the support.

I had just written a long reply and it disappeared - we just got back after a long morning - DS ended up needing both xray and ultrasound because they couldn't see what they needed from the xray - why they didn't start with the less invasive ultrasound is beyond me - I was pretty angry about that. Anyway, the technician all but said it looked fine - she basically said that she didn't see anything and that she was showing it to the pediatric specialist and if there's a problem then they come in to talk to you and she came back in to say that he didn't need to talk to us. However, we still need to go to the GP on Thurs for the formal results. I called, but they said I needed to come in (I panicked and the receptionist told me not to, that they didn't even have the report, but procedure requires that I come in for the results). They really make you jump through hoops!

Glad to hear it all went well but it is a bit crazy how they do make you jump through hoops. I hope the formal results are also clear.

Good to hear!