DDH, PAO Surgery...and Post Op X-Ray

Many of you have asked what exactly is PAO surgery...here is the best link I could find. 

http://www.wfuhip.com/PAO.html

Most of the people that have had this surgery are women in their late twenties and early thirties.  They go on to run marathons, have children, dance and the like.  I have researched this a lot, and whenever I see their pre-op x-rays, I think..."WOW! I wish Bailey's would have looked like this...!" It seems that Bailey's case was quite a bit different than those that I have read about online.  She had what I think they term a complete dislocation.  She had NO hip socket at all, and all of the surgeries that she had when she was a toddler were to build a hip socket for her.  I know that Bailey will go on to experience all of the great things in life, and she will be the topic of conversation by the pool with her surgical scars. (Which by the way, she is very eager to keep...!)

Bailey is certainly on the younger end of the spectrum for this surgery...but this was the last step before a total hip replacement.  Below is her post op x-ray...

As I have mentioned in earlier posts...Bailey's DDH could have and should have been caught during infancy.  In my (professional mom) opinion, the tests that the pediatricians perform to look for this issue is quite subjective.  I feel strongly that the infants should be given an ultrasound to check their hips vs. doctors moving their legs to TRY and feel a click.  My younger daughter had an ultrasound at 4 weeks of age...she too had DDH, we put double diapers on her for several weeks and her hips are perfect...!  (I understand now that they no longer do this, they go to the Pavlik Harness.)

Now that Bailey is getting stronger, my quest will be to increase awareness and to rally for better testing.  While I am told that a small degree of boys do have DDH, the higher percentage is in girls...if you know of a baby girl, or have one yourself, please look for the warning signs and look for a doctor that will listen to you. This situation is best diagnosed and treated prior to 6 mos of age. 
The warning signs (that I know of) are:

• assymetrical thigh
• not putting any weight on that leg (when sitting up after crawling)
• a bowing and the hips when standing (hard to tell sometimes in the diaper...)
• an odd gait when they start to walk

Wishing you blessings and health and abundance!

XOXOXO
The Hip & Sassy Family

...and puppy makes 5...

Hip and Sassy Momma (or should I say CRAZY Momma?) made good on her promise of a puppy...and Bailey is just as pleased as punch! We introduced Gracie-Loo to the family last Thursday.  (I call her Gracie-Loo Freebush...that annoys Bailey...making it all the more the fun!)  :)  She is a tiny chihuahua...with a BIG personality. 

Gracie-Loo (Freebush) 1.6lbs. 

Bailey, Miss Bevo & Gracie-Loo

We are counting the days for our next doctor appointment (during Spring Break)...Bailey is working hard everyday on exercising so that she can start therapy soon.  She spends a lot of time making lists of the things she wants to do, and wear as well as the places she wants to go when she is well.  I am so very proud of my baby...she has a great attitude and it seems that her recovery is coming along nicely.  I know Gracie-Loo is helping a lot too!

Blessings to you and yours from me and mine!

XOXOXO

Hip and Sassy Momma