Thursday, August 25, 2011

Daphnee's New Brace

We went back to her Orthopedic doctor on the 15th to do another ultrasound and see if the Pavlik harness was helping her hips go in the sockets.  I am sad to report that there was really no change that they could see on the ultrasound after 4 weeks in that harness.  It wasn't a good doctor visit, and these past 10 days with this new brace has been really hard.

From what they could see they would recommend doing surgery at about 6 months of age (in 2 months from now).  If she has surgery then she will be in a cast from the waist down for 3 months.  Until then they said we could try and use this new brace to see if it could help in the mean time.  But the doctor said this brace isn't usually used for a baby with Daphnee's exact condition, and he even admitted that he was pesimistic that it would even work.  It is frustrating and we feel like we are putting her through more discomfort and hassle for no reason, but if there is even the slightest chance that it will work, we are willing to try it. 

Here are some better pictures of her old harness. 


And we have graduated to this new contraption of a brace.  She is sitting in her swing in the first one.
 It velcroes up and over each thigh to keep a stiff foam pad in place and then velcroes around her belly. 
 Then there is hard plastic that is held together with a big screw to keep her legs from coming together.
We can take this brace off for diaper changes only.  And its a good thing because she poops out of every outfit, not every diaper, but every outfit I have to pre-wash before it goes into the laundry.  Not fun!!

We get to try this one out for 4 weeks then we go back for another ultrasound on September 12th.

5 comments:

Stacey and Kyle Nielsen said...

Well, from the pictures...the new brace doesn't look as awkward. But I have no idea what it's really like. She looks like such a happy baby though!! Cute, bright smile in every picture!! How old is she now? She looks like she is getting so big!

Holly and Ryan Vasso said...

Im so sorry, what a bummer to not have any progress. You are good parents to be willing to do whatever. Keep us updated on her progress!

Carrie & the Boys said...

Oh man. You guys are having a rough time with this little girl. Although surgery won't be fun, maybe it will finally work. We'll keep you guys in our prayers. Daphnee is super cute!

Heather Lawson said...

Aimee, for all it’s worth, for as uncomfortable as the braces are (I’m sure) Daphne looks so happy! She’s such a beautiful baby! She doesn’t seem to mind all that much. She is so cute! I LOVED the videos you posted! Keep praying and we will too! She’s going to be better than great! You and your family will be in our prayers.

XOXO Heather

Michaela said...

I love that she is still such a happy little girl! It's a big reflection of what great parents you both are! You guys are always in our prayers. Hope to see you soon!