Carly's Hip Dysplasia Journey

At 19 months old, Carly was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is the medical term for a hip socket that doesn't fully cover the ball portion of the upper thighbone. This allows the hip joint to become partially or completely dislocated. Most people with hip dysplasia are born with the condition; this is what we suspect with Carly as we have suspected for some time now that there was an issue with her hip/leg, and even suspected hip dysplasia. Carly's diagnosis has been difficult to wrap our heads around as it will be a difficult and long road to recovery.

Carly will be undergoing a 5-6 hour corrective surgery (periacetabular osteotomy) in April. In a periacetabular osteotomy, the surgeon makes a series of cuts to the bone to reposition the acetabulum in the pelvis, in order to restore a more normal hip joint anatomy. Screws are usually placed in the bones to stabilize this position; however, Carly's doctor does this with an alternative method that does not involve screws. During the healing process, new bone forms across the cut surface to secure the repositioned acetabulum in the pelvis, establishing proper alignment of the hip joint ball and socket.

Following surgery, while still under anesthesia Carly will be placed in a spica cast, and will spend 2-3 days/nights in the hospital under pain management and observation. Carly will wear 2 separate spica casts over the course of 12 weeks, changed at 6 weeks while under anesthesia a second time. The first cast will likely restrict her movement from the waist down, while she may gain minimal movement with the second cast.

Carly's care while in the spica cast is beyond what her daycare can provide. Due to her immobility, she will need to be rotated every two hours. She will likely not fit into most of her existing gear: high chair, car seat, and stroller meaning we will need to make modifications or acquire specialty or alternative gear.

Carly is such a happy little girl, and she has learned to walk and get into all the things toddlers do, all with a dislocated hip. She has no idea what is going on and it is heartbreaking that she will need to learn to walk all over again.

Because of the special care Carly will need; her mom will have to go on 12 weeks of unpaid leave (FMLA) to care for her and potentially several more weeks. Carlys journey to recovery will take a minimum of 6 months if all goes as planned, as she will continue physical therapy and wear a rhino brace after her cast as she learns to walk again. The journey as a whole is no doubt going to put a significant financial strain on the family. It is very difficult to admit we will need help during this time and it is in hopes that we can avoid crippling debt that we are doing so.