My nine year old daughter, Amber, is going to have both of her hips operated on. Her hips are coming out of socket. One 80% and one 30%. It has been recommened by the surgeons that we go on and do the surgery now before they come completely out. Over the past year Amber has begun walking in a gait trainer and is doing really well. We have alot of concerns with the results of the surgery. If anyone has been through this we would love to hear your outcomes and advice.

Thanks

I had surgery on my right hip - it was 40% out and causing me incredible pain when I put any weight on it. They did a femural-ostiotemy (sp?), which involved cutting my femur right below the socket, twisting the ball back into the socket, the putting a plate and screws in to hold it in place. I was not in a cast, but not allowed to put any weight on it until the bone grew back together. There was not much pain involved (except for the tendon release they did in my groin), but I wasn't allowed to do anything as far as rehab for 6 months. Then I went through another 4 months of physical therapy before I was walking on my own.

It was totally worth it, but I went to 4 different doctors before I found a specialist willing to do the surgery. The fear was that I wouldn't walk again. Much had to do with my attitude. I decided there was no way the surgery would fail.

My son developed something called "slipped capital epiphysis" which meant that the joint was dislocating itself from the hip socket. They put a screw in and it's been fine ever since. In fact, they were so concerned with preventing deterioration of the hip joint that they brought him in essentially for emergency surgery the day the condition was diagnosed.

That's left me with the clear impression that hip surgery is very important. And recovery from that surgery was in fact easier than recovery from tendon-lengthening the year before.

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How is Amber doing? My Grandson is having hip surgery this Thursday 12/6/07. He has CP and has also started walking (scooting really) in a gait trainer. I'm so frightful of the surgery not knowing what to expect afterwards (his pain). From:annie209