Looking Good!!

Another perfect x-ray.

Hard to believe it is May already! Having two kids in sports and other activities makes life hectic as ever!! (Kudos to everyone who has more then two, I can hardly keep track of the two I have.) I have been running in fifty directions the last several weeks and I just realized I never updated after Ava's last hip check up. Back in March Ava went for her normal 6 month check up. As usual an x-ray was done to see how everything has healed and make sure all is well. Thankfully she had another perfect x-ray and things are healing nicely. My nerves are usually shot by the time a check up comes around so all this is music to my ears. In this visit I learned a few things that may or may not be in Ava's future. (I think Dr. A spreads out the information he gives me, especially the not so great stuff, so I don't completely lose it.) So anyway, somethings I already knew but some was new information. The thing about having hip dysplasia and having surgery (or any treatment) there are no guarantees.

Fact number 1... Many "hip" patients are treated young (which is best case scenario) but when  a surgery is done to recreate a socket the hope is the socket grows properly. That being said, Ava was only 4 at the time of her surgeries and has a lot of growing (and growth catch up) ahead of her. This makes her still high risk for hip dysplasia but so far so good her hips are growing with her, whew!

Fact number 2... It takes years for the hips to truly be healed. Ava had both sockets reconstructed, over time as the ball moves in the socket, the socket will become deeper. The deeper the socket becomes the less likely dysplasia will happen. So far, so good!

Fact number 3... After surgery full rotation in each hip may or may not return. Right now Ava's inner rotation is great but her outer rotation is so-so. Over time and with normal everyday movement it can improve. Ava's right hip is seated a little differently to help prevent it from slipping out, the rotation in this leg is far less then in the left. From time to time Ava will call it her "bum leg" or "the leg that doesn't work so well." It doesn't hold her back one bit and ballet has definitely helped in the movement.

Fact number 4... It is not uncommon that come the early teen years Ava may need more surgery. What?!?! This is news to me! In Dr. A's words... as the body grows the hips may need a little "tweeking." Our hope is that it will not be the case for Ava but as I was warned, during growth the hips can become displace. She will never (well hopefully never) have dislocation again but here is where the risk of dysplasia comes in. Our hope and prayers are that she never has to have surgery again!!

 I left the check up feeling good about Ava's hips and even the not so great stuff didn't have me down. Dr. A is very happy with her recovery and his hope that no further treatment or surgery is needed. ( I could not agree more!) I have complete confidence in his work and all he has done to help Ava. The next check up is in 6 months and I know her hips will continue to be perfect. In the mean time life is completely normal for Ava. It will be 2 years (hard to believe so much time has passed) since her first surgery. Her Kindergarten year is almost done and she has become quite the little athlete. She currently doing ballet, playing t-ball and come fall she wants to try Irish Step Dancing. Nothing holds this child back! I continuously watch her with amazement on how awesome she is doing and from time to time I get tears in my eyes as I watch. (I always wonder when I will stop getting so emotional over her every move.)

I look forward to watching Ava grow and see all the wonderful things ahead of her. Also, I look forward to the day that this is a distant memory! I have one strong little girl and I know one day what she has been through will lead her to great things!! My little butterfly is really spreading her wings!!

Look how far she has come...