Broken Femur Bone - Open to All Other Health Topics Message Board

LianneToni · 06-04-2005, 12:50 PM

My 13 month old daughter broke her right femur bone on Sunday 22 May 05. Both legs were in traction for 9 days and then she was put in a hip spica on Tuesday 31 May.
We have been told that it will be 2 possibly 3 weeks that she will have the hip spica for. Can anyone tell me if they have had this experience in such a young child. How long were they in their Hip Spica For? And How long did it take for the child to recover? Is the child okay now and fully recovered. My little girl had just started walking 2 weeks before.
I would really appreciate some advice from parents who have gone through this before.
Thanks
Lianne

DX- · 06-04-2005, 06:34 PM

Lianne,

I just tried a general search for "hip spica" (using the quotation marks) on google and came up with quite a bit of information -- much of it for babies. There is some general information, some of which may be helpful. Most of it relates to a hip spica for treatment of hip dysplasia, so obviously not all of it will be relevant.

I also suggest reposting this question on the Childrens' Health Board here at healthboards.com to see if any parents who post there have had the same experience as you.

Good luck -- it appears both you and your little one are in for quite a trial.

feelbad · 06-06-2005, 06:30 AM

I just have to ask as this sort of an injury in a child is sooo unusual.How in the heck did she manage to break her femur?It is just that children have such supple and flexable bones when they are that young,that to actually break any bone is kinda difficult.was it from an accident or something?I feel so bad for you having to see your child go through something that must be very painful.i know from experience just how heartwrenching having something devistating happen to one of your children can be.Sorry I cannot help you with your question but just wanted to say that i hope she is up around and toddling again soon.Don't forget to take care of yourself while dealing with this.FB

LianneToni · 06-06-2005, 12:02 PM

It happened while I was holding my daughter. We were at a 3rd birthday party and I slipped down a grass slope. I still can't believe it happened and feel absolutely distraught and majorly responsible that I have put her in this situation. I know that accidents do happen but to see her go through so much pain is the most unbearable thing that I have ever gone through and am so scared that it won't heal properly, although Im told that she will make a full recovery.

She had just started walking aswell so it will take quite a few more months for her to get back to that stage I would think.

As you say to break that part of her body is so unusual, which I think makes it so much worse. I think that she must have the worst possible minor injury that you can have. As I said it is so unbelievable that we are in this situation. I will completely wrap her up in cotton wool from now on and never again attempt to walk down a grass slope!

feelbad · 06-07-2005, 06:08 AM

Please don't keep blaming yourself.As you stated, accidents DO happen.You couldn't have possibly known that by just carrying your child down a hill would result in this situation.One big thing to remember here is that kids have a much better ability to heal than most adults and with proper treatment and rehab, she will be back on track before you know it.My son went through liver failure and ended up needing a transplant at age 12-13.i know how you feel just standing there and unable to really do anything to help.Just be there for her and love her and she will come out of this just fine.as long as you feel comfortable with her docs and her ongoing care,just try and relax a little(i know, easier said than done,right?)but if at any time during her healing process that you start to feel that things are not going as they should or something just is 'not right' with treatment or a particular doc, don't be afarid to voice your opinion.You are your childs advocate,she is counting on you to help her get through this whole thing.If you don't speak for her,she will not have a voice.i had to do this for my son as well.Some days were much easier than others but if you really want the best care possible for your child,you just do it.And don't let any doc or other medical professional intimidate you,K?take a little time out for yourself,you need to have a clear head during this whole situation and release all the stress of the day that tends to build up.even getting out for an after dinner walk will do wonders,trust me.i am sure this will all be just a bad memory soon and your daughter will probably not even ever remember that it happened.Just deal with what you need to deal with and then move on.take care,and please keep me posted.marcia