Brooke Shields talks about her daughter's hip dysplasia

Update: According to our correspondent Kristin, who read Brooke’s memoir Down Came the Rain : My Journey Through Postpartum Depression,Brooke talked about Rowan’s hip dysplasia.  Every time they tightenedthe harness, Rowan would scream.  Chris always tightened the harness-Brooke didn’t want to, nor did she want to hold Rowan.  She had to evenbe baptised in the harness.  Brooke wrote about how beautiful Rowanlooked in her dress, but then the harness sticking out underneath wasjust heartbreaking.

Originally posted October 11:
If postpartum depression didn’t make the period after her daughter Rowan Henchy‘s birth hard enough, Brooke Shields revealed tonight on Access Hollywood that Rowan  has a medical condition called hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is an instability of the hip joint that presents at birth (in Rowan’s case) or during childhood.

To correct the condition, Rowan had to wear a brace for a few months of her infancy.  Though Brooke didn’t mention the specific type, Access Hollywood showed a brace called a Pavlik Harness that Rowan most likely wore.  According to Hip-Baby.org, a Pavlik Harness is "made of canvas straps, velcro and buckles. It serves tokeep the legs apart and at the correct angle."  According to the Hospital for Special Surgery, "the harness isgenerally used for three months total, initially full-time and as thehip position improves and stability is achieved, part-time harnesstreatment may be instituted. Treatment with the Pavlik harness issuccessful in about 85% of dislocated hips in children under 6 monthsof age."

Rowan was treated at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, by orthopedist Dr. David L. Skaggs.  Brooke said, "when you’re a new parent and you have a child that has any kind of special need you rely so much not only on the ability of your surgeon or your doctor but the compassion."  Brooke said that she had Dr. Skaggs cel phone number and that she would call him when she was "terrified" when she had trouble changing a screaming, crying Rowan’s diaper while she was wearing the harness.

The hospital hosted its second annual Noche de Ninos benefit, on October 7th.  At the event, Johnny Depp was honored and presented with the Courage to Care Award by last year’s honoree, Jennifer Lopez. Other celebrities in attendance included Jessica Simpson, Brooke Shields, Billy Crystal, and Danica Patrick.

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles treats more than 58,000 children a year in its Emergency Department.  It admits more than 11,000 children a year to the hospital, and nearly 50 percent of those admissions are children under four years of age.  There are more than 285,000 visits a year to its 29 outpatient clinics and laboratories; nearly 5,000 visits at community sites through its Division of Adolescent Medicine. 

Does your child or someone you know (or even yourself) have hip dysplasia?  Please share your stories.

Comments

My mom was born with hip dysplasia- of course, it went undetected or treated for 25 years since she was born in 1958. As a result, she underwent a total hip replacement at 40, due to a severely deteriorating joint. Because of this, my cousins have all been tested at birth for the disorder- one did have it and they treated it right away. Get your kids tested! The brace for 2 months is NOTHING compared to a total hip replacement later on in life.

- Laura on October 11th, 2006

not to be rude but to understand the condition more to me is it like what the character kerry weaver on er have or isnt something diffrent

- ally on October 11th, 2006

not to be rude but to understand this condition more to me is it like what the character kerry weaver on er have or is something diffrent

- ally on October 11th, 2006

not to be rude but to understand this condition more is it like kerry weaver character from er have or diffrent

- ally on October 11th, 2006

Thanks for posting this. Brooke is an amazing mother! My daughter had mild hip dysplasia at birth. We had do “double diaper” her for several months to see if the condition would self-correct. Fortunately it did and she didn’t need to wear a brace. Our specialist also recommended wearing our daughter with legs spread out to help place the hip joints back. He said that in most cultures– hip dysplasia corrects itself because of larger diapers and babywearing!

- gOzOzO on October 11th, 2006

I was born with it in both hips but it was not caught until I was 19 and I am now 21. I had surgery at the age of 19 called a Ganz Osteotomy.
http://www.nyumc.net/public_html/hospitals/hjd/html/body_ganz_osteotomy.html That’s a website that explains the type of surgery that I had and most have so they don’t have to go through a total hip replacement at age younger age like I was.

- Rachel on October 11th, 2006

I may of had a mild form of it, but I’m not sure. That maybe why I have to wear a lift in my left shoe. Of course I was born in 1964, so it wasn’t something probably known then at all. I have to wear the lift, because the joint in the hip won’t line up with the one one the other side. I doubt very much that it was known what caused this. I was lucky to not have it bad. I’m suppose to wear my shoes with the lift in it all the time, but I hate wearing shoes.
blame my childhood on that. LOL.

- nanny on October 11th, 2006

i had it when i was little and had to wear a brace for almost a year! i was late walking, i learned to crawl with it on. i have no problems today and i am 23

- Christine on October 12th, 2006

My cousin was born with this disorder, as was her mother. Back then, they did surgery for corrective measures. The mother’s didn’t turn out right and she always walked with a limp, but my cousin’s surgery was successful, althought she spent many months in a full cast from her waist to her ankles, with only open areas for the obvious needs to pee and poop. I know her mother went through SO much dealing with the surgeries and after-care of my cousin, so I’m glad treatments have advanced to the point where, many times, surgery can be totally avoided!

- GrietjeV on October 12th, 2006

I am pretty sure i had heard this before somewhere. Maybe on Oprah? prob not in this much detail but it def rings a bell in my mind..

- ali on October 12th, 2006

My daughter, Amelia, was born with hip dysplasia in 2004. Her’s was a mild case, as the hip never actually dislocated, but clicked, and on a songoram it was shown as not being fully-formed. The pediatrician felt the problem was caused when Amelia was breech for much of my pregnancy (the week before delivery she moved and was delivered naturally). She was also very, very tall, and I was very petite. It also has a genetic component, though no one in my family has it. Any subsequent children I have are also at an increased risk for the same condition.

The GREAT news is, my daughter’s condition successfully treated with the brace. Her brace was different – it was more like a pair of rubber shorts that held the legs out to the sides, with several velcro straps to hold it on. She wore hers 24 hours a day for her first three months. It was very difficult to bond with a newborn in such a shell. Changing diapers and bathtime were the only moments she was brace-free – she screamed when it had to be put back on, as she seemed to hate being so confined (and hot!). And strangers has a terrible tendency to stare and often make rude remarks (as though I had injured my daughter somehow!!!).

After Amelia’s treatment, she had follow-up x-rays with her orthopedic surgeon every few months and at 18 months, we were told there was no reason to ever follow-up again and that Amelia’s hips were 100% normal. She was walking by 12 months and running by 15… the condition never slowed her down and she’s doing fantastic!!! From what I understand, it is a very common condition, and usually, successfully treated with brace-wear.

- Megan C on October 12th, 2006

I was born with that same condition. My Mom chose not to use the harness but I had to wear high top shoes constantly and excercise my legs alot. I still have times when I will fall. I wish she had done the harness or something MORE to help change it for me.

- Sara on October 12th, 2006

Both of my friend’s daughters had this. The first had to wear a full cast from the waist down for the first 6 months of her life. They broke the cast a few times as she grew and then reset it. There was a small cutout for diaper changing. Not fun, but really not such a big deal either. Both are now fine, and the one who’d had the cast had only a slight delay in walking. It’s almost always caught these days and when it is, most babies respond well to treatment. Seeing how Brooke handled it (being “terrified, etc.), it makes me all the more impressed with how practical and un-dramatic my friend was through the whole thing. I’d probably be more the Brooke type though.

- Katie on October 12th, 2006

I had it when I was born, there were no braces back then (27 years ago), I had to wear two nappies/diapers all the time for a few months . I haven’t had any problems so it must have done the trick!

Someone correct me if I’m wrong but I think hip displaysia is just a weak hip joint whereas Kerry Weaver on ER had polio which is a viral infection that causes permanent muscle weakness and paralysis (and thanks to vaccination is now almost completely eradicated)

- Luna on October 12th, 2006

My friend’s Daughter had hip dysplasia from birth. She wore a harness like the one pictured until she was 6 months old. I can say from experience that it is a difficult task to try and change the diaper of a baby that is in one of those harnesses if you are working alone. After 6 months she wore a set of leg braces that velcroed around the waist and had plastic cuffs that wrapped around the leg just above the knee (also with velcro straps). These had pieces of steel that ran up the side of her legs and met at the hip. She could bend her legs at the hip, but only to a certain point. Basically she was in a sitting position all the time. She wore those braces until the day after her second birthday. Even though she should have been frustrated with them, she was quite a happy baby. She even learned how to walk with them on eventually (at around 18 months). Now she is six and she can run and jump and play to her heart’s content.

- whatanicegirly on October 12th, 2006

Two of my cousins had that. Their children were also checked. They also thought my daughter had a hip problem, but an x ray prooved otherwise.

- Yonni on October 12th, 2006

My daughter had hip dysplasia when born and wore a harness for about four months after she was born in june 96.Its very easy to discern if newborns have it since the testing is to jiggle there legs as if the babies are jogging and you can sort of feel if the hips are clicking. She is 10 now and absolutely wonderful. There are no after effects when caught early, mostly.

- Kathy on October 12th, 2006

Well I know this is not the same, but my puppy has hip dysplasia, just diagnosed. She is only 11 months and like my baby.

- Diana on October 12th, 2006

I had hip dysplasia when I was born and also had to wear a brace for a few months. Back when I was an infant they did not have the canvas, velcro, buckle harness brace, so I had to wear one with a metal bar. I don’t have any memories of this, but I have seen many pictures. My understanding is that it was not a big deal and was totally corrected. I suffered no consequences as a result of the condition.
Ally: The condition is nothing like what Kerry Weaver has on ER, unless she suffered from hip dysplasia that went untreated.

- M.T. on October 12th, 2006

My grandson was born with bi-lateral hip dysplasia. The pavlik harness did not work for him. He ended up wearing a cast on both legs for 11 months, he had to have his cast changed as he grew. At one point he underwent 8 days of traction at Rainbow & Babies Hospital to stretch his ligaments before the last casting. Needless to say he was a trooper, children, especially babies adjust, it was the rest of us that had a hard time watching him go thru the whole ordeal. Instead of crawling he would get on the kithchen floor and spin and pull himself around the house dragging that big ol’ cast around. It is very important to have your baby checked at birth. Too bad Brooke didnt share this while she was going thru it, there are alot of support groups to help you cope and have good ideas for carseats, highchairs, clothing etc..if anyone is going thru it, invest in a beanbag chair (if your infant or child is casted) it is very comfortable & useful.

- Jennifer on October 12th, 2006

My friend’s daughter had this condition and wore a brace like the one in that picture for the first two months of her life. Of course, it scared the crap out of my friend (Being a single, first-time mom and all…), but little Ava (who turns four-months-old today!) is just fine now!

- Candice on October 12th, 2006

My daughter was diagonsed with this immediately after her birth via Csection. At the time it was not an extreme case and we were advised to ‘triple’ diaper her to keep her legs/joints in place. She has given physical therapy after the 6 months. 3 months later at 9 months old she climbed out of her crib, at 10 months she was walking, 12 months she was running. My deepest fear the first 6 months that she would have trouble walking or develop a misaligned gait in her walking. None of these things developed, thankfully and my now 9.5year old is the most athletic of my bunch. I consider myself very lucky.

- Lilly on October 12th, 2006

I just had a daughter 10 days ago and she was breech. They thought she had this hip issue as well. Luckily after an ultrasound on her hip and a trip to the pediatric orthopedist, she looks 100% fine. But it was worrisome. Luckily, if detected this early, the brace should fix it and have no long term issues.

- Faith on October 12th, 2006

I have a friend whose soon was diagnosed with double hip displaysia at about 1 1/2 years. They had missed it early on and as a result he has had to endure several surgeries and spent most of his toddler years in a wheel chair. Now at the age of 6 he has a significant leg length difference that affects his ability to run / play with other kids his age. Their famly has been through so much that could have easily been avoided with early treatment. I agree with Laura – get your kids tested!

- HappyMom on October 12th, 2006

a little girl at my work was diagnosed with something similar…perhaps the same thing. She’s over a year and doesn’t walk or crawl and seems to cry whenever you try to make her stand.

- joy on October 12th, 2006

Our daughter had the same thing as an infant and DID have to wear the Pavlik Harness for several months!! She is fine now, but we have noticed that she seems to be “pigeon-toed”….does anyone know if kids automatically outgrow this, or does it have to be treated with special shoes?? Our pediatrician says not to worry, but of course, as parents, we DO WORRY about this!!
Does anyone have insight on this?? Thanks!!

- dhoosierswife on October 12th, 2006

My son was born with hip displaysia because he was breech. He was put in the Pavlik harness at 6 weeks and wore it until he was 4 mos old. He had to be it for 23 hours per day. He never cried or seemed to be in any discomfort from the harness. I was really sad in the beginning b/c because I couldn’t swaddle him anymore. About the same time my girlfriend’s son was diagnosted with autism and she said to me she wished she could get a harness for his brain. I’m so lucky that my son’s problem was so easily fixed and he is perferctly fine now.

- Kiki on October 12th, 2006

I too have heard a lot of people say that their kids will grow out of being “pigeon toed” however I know a young girl who is almost 4 and still hasn’t grown out of it. In the beginning her doctor told her parents not to worry about it and to make sure the child wore only sneakers(but I have seen the child in flip flops and sandles lots of times)- perhaps this is why she’s 4 and her feet still haven’t been corrected. So I would ask your doctor what shoes may be best for your little one to walk in. Sometimes they just need the support.

- joy on October 12th, 2006

who knew this was so common!?! i was also born with the condition. i was breach and my hip dislocated and so i was born by c-section. i also wore the brace for about 9 months until i was almost 1– as a result i only crawled for 2 weeks before i started walking!

- willa t on October 12th, 2006

My sister had a severe form of hip dysplasia when she was born back in 1974. The docs said they wouldn’t do anything until she took her first steps, so after14 months, they could finally see what was happening. Turns out the hip socket wasn’t even there. She endured a month of traction (I can only imagine that fun for a 1 year old!) and a major surgery with a body cast for 3 months.
He one leg is still about 1/2 inch shorter than the other, but she walks fine now.
Apparently hip dysplasia is more common in girls and there are many forms lumped under one term.

- mommytobeof2 on October 13th, 2006

Both of my sons were born (1990 and 1992) with hip dysplasia and both were lucky and only needed the “several diapers and a thick blanket” treatment. It is always frightening to be told something is wrong with your child, but I am glad she did the right thing and followed the doctor’s treatment orders.

- Suzette on October 13th, 2006

My mom had this and because my grandparents ignored her limp she ended up having 13 hip replacements. She died at 43 because her hip was shattered and she got an infection in it. That is worse case………. However my daughter was also born with it and she wor a brace for 3 mos and is 6 and fine. from what the doctors have told me it has become more common. When you are at the doctor with your child and the doctor is pushing there knees to there chest and in a circular motion that is what they are checking for.

- Stephanie on October 13th, 2006

Just adding a comment far more superficial than what this story is about, but…

Gosh, that is a gorgeous little girl. She looks just like Brooke but with red hair.

- alexp on October 13th, 2006

This condition runs in my family, and I had it. I was neither breech nor a first born. They didn’t catch it til I was 6 months old, I was put in traction for a week and then had a Spica cast from my armpits to my ankles for 6 months of my life.
Now Im 23 and my daughter, who was breech, has it but only in her left hip. She used to wear the Pavlik harness but it didn’t work for her so she quit wearing it. Shes now a year old and its still dislocated but she has to have open surgery for it, and afterwards she will be in a spica cast for 3 months. I’m not looking forward to this, I wish there was a support group with other moms I could meet to help me through it.

- Joy on November 8th, 2006

Mine was not caught until I was 2. From age 2 to 4 I was in a full body cast. I know my Mom went thru’ a lot & it must have been very hard to care for a child in a full cast. I’m glad she did everything offered at that time. I had a very active childhood & I even played soccer. At age 14 the pain started. I had a Chiari Osteotomy at age 19 and a Hip replacement at 34. I am now 40 and have pain everyday. My niece had it, it was caught at birth & she wore extra diapers…she is FINE. Catching it early makes a BIG difference.
Hang in there any Moms dealing with this. Your child will NOT be mad that you got them treatment.

- Kathy Sabatino on November 14th, 2006

My daughter was born with bilateral hip dysplasia. She was placed into the Pavlik Harness one day shy of her 2nd month ‘birthday’. It broke my heart at the time.

We were to keep her in it 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Keeping her clean was hard being that she suffered from acid reflux. After a few weeks, we were allowed to remove it one hour a day, but I tried to avoid removing it too much (it was too tempting to keep her out of it!). I took her out twice/three times a week for baths and to wash the harness.

8 weeks in the harness full-time, and 4 weeks of weaning, and she was fixed! It’s amazing what some canvas and velcro can do!

I got tired of having to explain Hip Dysplasia to strangers in the grocery store. They would come up to us and want to look at my daughter, and upon seeing the harness, would ask what it was. A couple would give me looks as if I put her in there by choice!! lol

She definitely adjusted to it better than I did. Our first day of weaning, she cried so much that I put her back IN the brace, and she was happy! Her Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon still laughs about that! lol

- Jan on November 18th, 2006

My daughter was finally diagnosed with this at 16 months, though we suspected it long before. Many pediatricians and even adult orthopedic surgeons do not recognize the signs of hip dyplasia. If left untreated the child may unable to walk or run, have huge limps, and have total deterioration of the affected hip socket by the early teens. Not a fun thing to imagine for yor child!! In my daughter’s case she endured 5 surgeries, traction to loosen the muscles and tendons, full body casts for many months, and wearing a brace for over a year. But with all of this she is able to walk, and take dance, and be a normal child, which is all her father and I ever wanted for her. Please, please, make sure that your baby is checked, and if there is any question take your child to a qualified pediatric orthopedic surgeon.

Nancy, developmental dysplasia of the hip ‘expert’ and mom to Claudia- who endured it all and still remained happy and cheerful.

- nancy on November 22nd, 2006

My daughter Zoe was born with bilateral hip dysplasia in June 2005. I wrote a bit about our experiences here…

http://amadisonmom.blogspot.com/2007/03/previously-in-madison-moms-life.html

- Colleen on July 3rd, 2007

My daughter was just diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia at 19 months old. We are starting what will be a long journey. I would love to know where to turn for some support groups. Please let me know if you know of any.

Thanks

- Tracey McInnes on June 12th, 2008

I too had hip dysplasia at birth AND my daughter was diagnosed at 3 months. I turned the positive into a negative this year by creating a clothing line for babies with hip dysplasia- BabyHipWear. We have had great press pick up thus far..had I had the company formed at the time, I would have sent some clothing to Brooke!

- Jennifer Tonetti-Spellman on December 14th, 2008