Today: 14 months past surgery. : DDH

BB fell out of bed at 4am this morning, her shouts of anger at finding herself in a huddle on the floor were almost as loud as her shrieks of delight when she realised that both mum and dad were sleeping in her room whilst nanny slept peacefully in theirs.  Rapture was all hers when she refused the warm appeal of her own Peppa Pig bed and climbed into the pull out sofa bed and wedged herself between he who helped create them and me.

Sleep was troublesome anyway last night, with BB involved it was non-existent.

I got up and paced our bungalow for a while fretting about BB’s impending anesthetic, and more detailed x-rays. Whilst I prayed for no more spica I also knew that I wanted answers as to why her limp doesn’t seem to improve and why she cannot flex her hip past 90 degrees.

Six hours later I had a very excited girl who was tearing through the hospital playroom, dressing as a doctor, supergirl and finally a tiger!

The good news?

No more surgery, no more spica. – The wave of happiness that flooded through me when those words were said was indescribable.

The bad news?

BB’s mobility issues look set to stay for a while, part of her lack of usage is psychological and part is just an intense stiffness that has worsened over time.  We are heading back for hydrotherapy and need to swim with her daily to try to loosen her up.

The fear that sits in the corner of my heart reserved for DDH has not gone, until my beautiful baby can run and jump and hop I don’t think I will ever see a future that doesn’t have more hospitals in it.  Today eradicated my worse worry but the problem still lives on and it feels like it is very much down to us to solve it.

More swimming…..

Going to need to buy a new suit!

14 thoughts on “Today: 14 months past surgery. : DDH”

  1. Yay fab news!!! Hopefully as well as swimming they gave you some physio exercises? I can not believe the effect physio had on Oscar a few years back. He could not bend one leg without it being in agony for 4 and half months, physio made such a huge difference so quickly.

    So pleased x x x

  2. This is the best news I’ve heard all day. So pleased for you and BB. I can understand why it would be psychological too – she’s been so used to walking a certain way, it’s been drilled into her mind. So I guess the task is now unlearning what she has learned, and lots of swimming. Have a lovely weekend! X.

  3. Hi just to say a few words of encouragement, I had late diagnosed DDH, plaster and leg irons (late 50’s) went on to play county level football and even local into my mid 40’s, I’m now 55 and to be honest the hip / walking problems only made my brain and determination to achieve things in life stronger. My oldest daughter’s DDH was found earlier but again she has a will and independence 2nd to none. Hang on in there, be positive. My notes from 1960 state I was a happy little boy and having leg irons / plaster never stopped me living life to the full as I am sure actually benefited me in many ways that I can not quantify..good luck Gary

  4. just like to add I have sent this link to my daughter Michelle so she may also reply herself x

  5. I’m not sure what services you have there, but here there are many orthotic options that work very well with hip ddh for regaining and controlling mobility. There may even be some Electrical stimulation units that can help reduce tightness and tone.

    You can email if you want/need more info. 🙂

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