6 month old with clicky hip

[elleandsam]

Hi all, took DD for her 6 month needles today and the doctor did a quick check up, he told me she has a 'clicky' hip and wants me to take her for an ultrasound on both hips.

That was it. No more info and I was rushed out the door.

So what does a clicky hip potentially mean? I'm so nervous and scared for my little girl.

[lilli]

My DD had this. If you're lucky you'll probably just have to use double nappies to keep her legs apart, but you'll have to wait until you have the ultrasound, some need a brace. But the fact that no one noticed it until now probably suggests it's a pretty mild case, like my daughter had.

It just means the hip joint hasn't grown into the socket properly yet. It's not in anyway painful for your daughter but if not corrected young can lead to problems with the hips later in life requiring surgery.

My DD has to have ultrasounds once a month to keep an eye on it, but no need for a brace thankfully. I know there are ladies on bubhub who have their DDs in braces (it's most common among girls).

Good luck!

[elleandsam]

Double nappies? How does that work if she's in cloth that are already pretty bulky?

I really hope she doesn't end up in a brace. I hope it's nothing.

Thanks for your reply.

[TripleTime]

I have a clicky right hip, as PP said. The hip socket hasnt grown properly & its a little loose.
All it means is that the joint isnt as tight as it should be & they she can slip her hip in & out of place.

If she's already in cloth, its a good thing. There pretty bulky already to keep the joint open (to the side) instead of closed (in front).

A brace is nothing compared to what could need to be done if it was left.

One thing that helped me was ballet, i started when i was 3 & stopped when i was 19. Tightened up my back & core muscles to give me the support i needed, ive found now with muscles wasting that im having problems.

[Jesska]

Hi my DD was diagnosed at 1 week and 4 days with "clicky right hip" went to the doctor got referred to our peds, saw him at 2 weeks and she was put into a pavlik harness.
had ultrasound at 9 weeks so 7.5 weeks in the harness, and her left hip was now the problem, she got put into another brace for 6 weeks then had another ultrasound, and she now has to be in the brace for yet another 6 weeks..
When you go for the ultrasound, ask what the percentage her hips are at (a normal hip is 60%) and whats the coverage of her hips.
To me it sounds like its a mild case so like others have said she'll most likely have to wear two nappies instead of the one, let us know how u go.

[kezzaskids]

my DD is now 14 months and still having 3 monthly xrays and appointments at the chldrens hospital for her clicky hips and are just now thinking the might need to do something about it!
was your bub born breech?

[elleandsam]

my DD is now 14 months and still having 3 monthly xrays and appointments at the chldrens hospital for her clicky hips and are just now thinking the might need to do something about it!
was your bub born breech?

Nope, she was posterior though.

Still not understanding the two nappies thing, it wouldn't work for us as she's in cloth and they're already fairly bulky. Would I have to put her in disposables for a while? That's not ideal for us as they giver her a horrible rash. :no:

[kezzaskids]

my specialist has said that her cloth nappies are what has saved her from a brace atm and just to keep using them as the stabilise the hip joint. I used bulky GK and BBH. I find out in april what the next step is with Samara.

[elleandsam]

my specialist has said that her cloth nappies are what has saved her from a brace atm and just to keep using them as the stabilise the hip joint. I used bulky GK and BBH. I find out in april what the next step is with Samara.

Good to hear that we won't have to change.

I hope everything works out with Samara.

[UmmInayah]

my bub had hip dysplasia that was picked up at birth. she was put into a splint for 2 and a bit months to help remedy it. we go every 6 months for a check up with an orthopedic specialist to make sure her hips are formed.

generally, a clicky hip indicates that the hip did not form correctly in the womb, could be because of bubs position, but i think there are other factors involved.

if you're lucky, your bub will be placed into a splint for a few weeks (might be fulltime, or could be just during certain parts of the day etc). i think your bub is young enough for just the splint, but if it is picked up later, bub will have to have surgery to correct it.

the splint will place your babies legs at right angles so that the hip joint is stuck in the socket. in doing this, the ball of the joint pushes into the socket helping it to mould and form. because babies bones are pretty pliable, it is easy to do this when they are younger.

when your baby was in the womb, the knee is usually pushed on by the uterine wall to help the ball of the hip to be pushed into the socket. if the leg is not in a position to be pushed in the way, the hip socket is not formed because there is no pressure from the ball. (i hope i am making sense)

do as much research as you can about it before you go and get the diagnosis. i think it's important to know what the possibilities might be, and to be informed so you can ask questions about it.

ask the ultrasound technician questions as well. i have learnt that even if i sound stupid, i don't care as long as i know what is happening. i think sometimes you should be more demanding about what you want to know, rather than just accept that someone is pushing you out the door without getting answers. you need to be firmer with your gp, or find another one that suits you and understands your need for information.

re the double nappies - it is not recommended to do this anymore for babies with clicky hip.. (the idea behind this is that babies legs will be splayed enough apart to help the ball fit into the socket) i wouldn't just do it voluntarily without some medical back up.

go for your ultrasound as soon as you can for peace of mind ((((hugs)))

[CheekyChicken]

My baby had something too, we went for the U/S she's not dislocating but there's some sort of imbalance (the socket is formed on both sides but I think something is a bit uneven) we had this done at 6 weeks, were told it would probably rectify by 12 weeks and to come back. At nearly $200 it was hard to justify a 2nd US for what wasn't really curable/treatable to my knowledge (I asked questions and wasn't given much of an answer on this but DR didn't worry if I didn't have a second US).

Ughh anyway I think we will go back for a 2nd US (she's now nearly 8 months) as at her 6 month check the nurse commented on her leg fat rolls being uneven (the butt is normally where you'll find uneveness) this is another sign.

Do be prepared for the U/S to be expensive (I think it was $90 after medicare but close to $200 up front at the hospital).

[kezzaskids]

My baby had something too, we went for the U/S she's not dislocating but there's some sort of imbalance (the socket is formed on both sides but I think something is a bit uneven) we had this done at 6 weeks, were told it would probably rectify by 12 weeks and to come back. At nearly $200 it was hard to justify a 2nd US for what wasn't really curable/treatable to my knowledge (I asked questions and wasn't given much of an answer on this but DR didn't worry if I didn't have a second US).

Ughh anyway I think we will go back for a 2nd US (she's now nearly 8 months) as at her 6 month check the nurse commented on her leg fat rolls being uneven (the butt is normally where you'll find uneveness) this is another sign.

Do be prepared for the U/S to be expensive (I think it was $90 after medicare but close to $200 up front at the hospital).

I have not had to pay for any of my childs ultrasounds or xrays or appointments with the orthopedic specialist?? hmmmmm. ask for a referal to the childrens hospital. that is where we go.

[tootiredtosleep]

Both my girls have DDH. DD1 was diagnosed at 5 months and was treated with a brace until she was 1.
DD2 was found at birth, and she required a brace, surgery, plaster x 2 and another brace! Her hip joint is still really shallow, but is very slowly improving.

Both my girls crawled and stood in braces, and DD2 even walked in hers. Treatment varies widely - no two kids are the same. Its pretty scary to start with, but overall we just had to get on with life and got used to it quickly.

[elleandsam]

Thanks ladies for the support and advice.

I had a big cry this afternoon over the thought of DD being in a brace. DH doesn't get it, he keeps saying "it's probably nothing." But what if it's not?

[TripleTime]

Thanks ladies for the support and advice.

I had a big cry this afternoon over the thought of DD being in a brace. DH doesn't get it, he keeps saying "it's probably nothing." But what if it's not?


Than you take each hurdle as it comes.

[UmmInayah]

My baby had something too, we went for the U/S she's not dislocating but there's some sort of imbalance (the socket is formed on both sides but I think something is a bit uneven) we had this done at 6 weeks, were told it would probably rectify by 12 weeks and to come back. At nearly $200 it was hard to justify a 2nd US for what wasn't really curable/treatable to my knowledge (I asked questions and wasn't given much of an answer on this but DR didn't worry if I didn't have a second US).

Ughh anyway I think we will go back for a 2nd US (she's now nearly 8 months) as at her 6 month check the nurse commented on her leg fat rolls being uneven (the butt is normally where you'll find uneveness) this is another sign.

Do be prepared for the U/S to be expensive (I think it was $90 after medicare but close to $200 up front at the hospital).


i don't mean to sound rude.. but what is a few hundred dollars to ensure your baby is okay? and YES i think you should go back to get it checked out as the sooner it is picked up and fixed, the easier it is. if it is left til too late you are lookng at surgery and spica casts as well as the almost definite chance your baby will have arthritis of the hips because of the surgery when they are older. much better to get it sorted sooner rather than later. please go for the sake of your child.

anyway, you can ask you gp to refer you to a xray/ultrasound area that DOES bulk bill. it might be a way away, but if you're concerned about the cost, there are other options.


kezzakids, maybe it's becuase the hospital picked up the clicky hip, not the gp. generally if it is a clicky hip you're referred to a orthopedic specialist anyway, and they're usually in children's hospitals.

[kezzaskids]

I think you are correct UmmInayah. The maternity hospital refered us. Even if they hadnt I would spend every $$ I had to ensure my children are ok!

[Jesska]

I too haven't paid for any ultrasounds for my DD (the hospital told me that you don't have to pay for babies ultrasounds on hips), but I do have to pay for her pediatrician (he is the best in the state for hip dysplaysia) so I don't mind paying for the best Doctor for my little girl.

[tootiredtosleep]

I posted some pics of DD1 in her brace on here ages ago - the links dont seem to work now. I'll have to post some more, they really arent that scary! Just lots of velcro - I hate velcro now!

[alexsmom]

my dd also had a clicky hip. they found it when she was discharged from hospital at birth. She didnt wear a double nappy or brace or anything. We went back at 6 weeks for an ultrasound on her hip- still clicky, not told to do anything. went back at 3months still the same, no brace, no double nappy. Finally at 6 months the ultrasound showed it had resolved itself. I dont know why we didnt have to do anything, but it went away on its own! try not to stress too much about it. It is a fairly common thing ( as you can see by the amount of replies!) and it can be fixed....

we did have to pay for the ultrasounds too- they are expensive!

[elleandsam]

The place we're going to bulk bills. So no cost for us. Mostly in worried about comments from strangers about the brace, we already get enough comments because she's small :(

[TripleTime]

The place we're going to bulk bills. So no cost for us. Mostly in worried about comments from strangers about the brace, we already get enough comments because she's small :(


Ignore them, i know its easier said than done. But seriously, they arent worth your time.

Ive now gotten to the point that i dont stop to listen to peoples comments, i dont have time to waste on them.:hugs:

[UmmInayah]

The place we're going to bulk bills. So no cost for us. Mostly in worried about comments from strangers about the brace, we already get enough comments because she's small :(

re the brace if she needs one, just take it as a complement they are actually asking as opposed to just staring and not saying anything. they're interested in what is happening and they're showing this rather than being rude about it. i know it's a stupid comparison, but i wear a scarf, and i much prefer when people come up to me and ask me about it than give me funny looks.

[Jesska]

I posted some pics of DD1 in her brace on here ages ago - the links dont seem to work now. I'll have to post some more, they really arent that scary! Just lots of velcro - I hate velcro now!
i am the same, i dont like valcro either! lol

The place we're going to bulk bills. So no cost for us. Mostly in worried about comments from strangers about the brace, we already get enough comments because she's small :(

i have had some comments about the brace that weren't so nice, but then again i have had some really lovely people come up and ask me what the brace is for and actually want to know all about hip dysplasia.

[UmmInayah]

i was lucky.. my bub was in a von rosen. no velcro and it seemed to support her legs so much better than the pavlik harness (sil currently has her bub in a pavlik, and although it does look more comfortable around the arms, it looks really uncomfortable where the velcro ends dig into the skin!)

http://www.infinitycreations.com.au/homepage/assets/images/hiptreatment/26.11.06-(15).jpg - von rosen

actually, elleandmum if you get to have a preference of the brace/harness they give you, it might be worthwhile asking about the von rosen, as it is proven to help remedy hip dysplasia more successfully than any other harness.

[tootiredtosleep]

Dont worry too much, dresses will usually cover up the brace. My girls lived in bodysuits and leggings or trackies when they were in braces.


When DD2 was in plaster (in winter luckily) I used blankets all the time to cover her in the pram - the Dr actually told us to do this, so people wouldn't ask how we broke her legs!

Treatment varies so much, its possible that all will be OK and you might just need to monitor it.

[Wilby]

another mum of a hip kid here! My DS had bilateral hip dysplaysia (both hips( and wasnt picked up till 7 months. We had a long time in a brace, and yes it was a hassle, but in the big scheme of things, its ok. My friends little girl has had a liver transplant and my other girlfriend's daughter has been fitted with a pacemaker and defib at the age of 5 so a brace is pretty easy.
I certainly grieved it in the first few weeks but we coped and were creative in how we got around the issues that arose with the brace.
I am 12 days away from having another baby and while I will be dissapointed if this little one had bad hips, I also know that life with a brace is not the worst we could be dealt.:)

And in my opinion, not wanting to sound harsh, I would spend all my $$ if it meant peace of mind that my child was ok. We paid for some of our many many u/s and xrays but not all. Medicare were pretty good and our health fund paid a fair amount of the cost of the brace. We dont live near a children's hospital, so that wasnt an option.

Oh and hip mum's, I hear you on the velcro!! everytime DS heard velcro for ages after he was out of the brace, he would cry!

[elleandsam]

i was lucky.. my bub was in a von rosen. no velcro and it seemed to support her legs so much better than the pavlik harness (sil currently has her bub in a pavlik, and although it does look more comfortable around the arms, it looks really uncomfortable where the velcro ends dig into the skin!)

http://www.infinitycreations.com.au/homepage/assets/images/hiptreatment/26.11.06-(15).jpg - von rosen

actually, elleandmum if you get to have a preference of the brace/harness they give you, it might be worthwhile asking about the von rosen, as it is proven to help remedy hip dysplasia more successfully than any other harness.

Thanks for the tip, that one actually doesn't look that bad.

[UmmInayah]

Thanks for the tip, that one actually doesn't look that bad.

nah, none of the harnesses are really that bad. and honestly, i never got comments about my bub's harness really. i had a few relatives who didn't want to hold her because they thought they would hurt her, but that's about all.

with the von rosen, you can submerge it in water, so you can actually bath them, but you have to make sure that you dry all around the brace, especially around the skin, really really really well otherwise it will chaff and leave a god-awful rash. i accidentally forgot to dry one part near her leg, and i would never do it again. it was RED RAW

[elleandsam]

nah, none of the harnesses are really that bad. and honestly, i never got comments about my bub's harness really. i had a few relatives who didn't want to hold her because they thought they would hurt her, but that's about all.

with the von rosen, you can submerge it in water, so you can actually bath them, but you have to make sure that you dry all around the brace, especially around the skin, really really really well otherwise it will chaff and leave a god-awful rash. i accidentally forgot to dry one part near her leg, and i would never do it again. it was RED RAW

How long did you need the harness for?

[UmmInayah]

How long did you need the harness for?

my bub was told she would be in it for 3 months, but we were lucky and she only wore it for 2 and a bit months. she had bilateral hip dysplasia, and having seen other xrays of children with correctly developed hips, i did notice that my babies hips were particularly shallow to begin with. i wish i had a photo of my bub in her brace to show you. she was put into it at 1 day old.

(i asked a LOT of questions, that how i know all of this lol.. i also did a lot of looking into paediatric textbooks - i am the kind of person who needs to know EXACTLY what is happening, what my options are and what the outcomes are.. so i make sure that i am thorough in everything so i can ask the appropriate questions)

you know, don't worry about you baby. it is so much easier to have it corrected now if she does have an issue than it is later on. i know i keep sounding in my posts like i am giving the worst case scenario, but your bub might not even need to be in a brace/harness :fingerscrossed: :fingerscrossed:

good luck with your ultrasound, and please make sure you keep us posted. if you have any questions you want to ask me, i am more than happy to answer them.. god knows i picked my daughter's orthopedic specialist's brain to pieces, and although he might hate me for it, i sure as hell am a lot better for it lol

[tootiredtosleep]

How did you go elleandmum? Hope all is Ok!

[elleandsam]

Still haven't gotten in for the ultrasound, although a ECN at her actual 6 month check up did a quick check and thinks it's a clicky knee not hip, which is apparently a non issue. We have an appointment for tuesday.

[tootiredtosleep]

Well I hope its just a clicky knee then and all is well. Let us know how it goes Tuesday.