Allison Joy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2015
- Messages
- 710
At first I wasn't sure if this was an appropriate place to post this, but once I read the board description, I decided it did fit, so here goes. Don't worry. It's nothing controversial. Ha! I keep trying to write some eloquent intro, but I think I'll just jump straight in. (I also changed the title of this thread about 5 times in my head. Ha!)
Did You Know?
June is Hip Dysplasia Awareness month, also known as “Healthy Hips Month.” I always like to say that Developmental Dysplasia of the Hips (DDH) is probably one of the most common disorders you’ve never heard of. As many as one in 10 infants may have some mild hip instability at birth, but most cases resolve on their own with no treatment. I’ve seen various statistics about how many infants need treatment, but it is actually one of the most common birth abnormalities. Despite that, it’s often not until someone has had personal experience with DDH through themselves, a family member, or friend, that they’ve even heard about it.
If you've followed my posts on here, then you may know that for me, it’s personal. I had DDH as a child, but it wasn’t caught until I was 9 years old. The picture below is me in my cast, after my surgery when I was nine. (You can click it for a bigger picture.) The most effective treatment is when a child is diagnosed before they are 6 months old, but so many cases are not caught by then. For those who are diagnosed later, like I was, I'm actually one of the lucky ones. I only needed surgery and a cast once as a child. It may have led to my way too early hip replacement, but no one really know for sure There are too many who need multiple surgeries and casts as a child.
In recent years, I have tried to use my experience to advocate for DDH. For example, did you know that there are ways to promote healthy hip development in infants? Tight swaddling and any position where a child's legs are straight (or nearly straight) and close together for long periods of time (think "bumpo" type seats, as well as some carriers) can be a risk factor. I'm not saying you need to avoid these all together, or that short periods of time are bad, but, especially if you know you have a family history of DDH, it's something to consider avoiding.
I have found various ways to try to support other families who are going thorough the DDH journey. Though social media, I have meet so many amazing DDH families. I love sharing my story and answering questions. If this thread starts to serve as a resource/support system for hip dysplasia, I'd love that. If this ends up being a "one and done" thread that's fine too. If you find this thread years later, and don't want to "bump" it, then please feel free to message me. I would love to be a resource for you!
Did You Know?
June is Hip Dysplasia Awareness month, also known as “Healthy Hips Month.” I always like to say that Developmental Dysplasia of the Hips (DDH) is probably one of the most common disorders you’ve never heard of. As many as one in 10 infants may have some mild hip instability at birth, but most cases resolve on their own with no treatment. I’ve seen various statistics about how many infants need treatment, but it is actually one of the most common birth abnormalities. Despite that, it’s often not until someone has had personal experience with DDH through themselves, a family member, or friend, that they’ve even heard about it.
If you've followed my posts on here, then you may know that for me, it’s personal. I had DDH as a child, but it wasn’t caught until I was 9 years old. The picture below is me in my cast, after my surgery when I was nine. (You can click it for a bigger picture.) The most effective treatment is when a child is diagnosed before they are 6 months old, but so many cases are not caught by then. For those who are diagnosed later, like I was, I'm actually one of the lucky ones. I only needed surgery and a cast once as a child. It may have led to my way too early hip replacement, but no one really know for sure There are too many who need multiple surgeries and casts as a child.
In recent years, I have tried to use my experience to advocate for DDH. For example, did you know that there are ways to promote healthy hip development in infants? Tight swaddling and any position where a child's legs are straight (or nearly straight) and close together for long periods of time (think "bumpo" type seats, as well as some carriers) can be a risk factor. I'm not saying you need to avoid these all together, or that short periods of time are bad, but, especially if you know you have a family history of DDH, it's something to consider avoiding.
I have found various ways to try to support other families who are going thorough the DDH journey. Though social media, I have meet so many amazing DDH families. I love sharing my story and answering questions. If this thread starts to serve as a resource/support system for hip dysplasia, I'd love that. If this ends up being a "one and done" thread that's fine too. If you find this thread years later, and don't want to "bump" it, then please feel free to message me. I would love to be a resource for you!
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And looked much younger than 9yrs old.
