6mth Follow-up W/ Dr. Sears

Today we had our 6mth follow-up appointment with Dr. Sears(orthopedic dr.). Ella was born with both hips out of place and her rt. knee was also out of place. Since birth her knee has been fixed with serial casting but we have not done anything about the hips, therefore we have seen Dr. Sears a lot! The last time we seen him was in October 2006, so needless to say he was really impressed with the progress Ella has made. He done X-rays (once again) to see how her bones are shaping up and to see what her hips look like. Like everything else "rare" going on with Ella her hip dislocations are just another thing to add to the list! Most children born with hip dislocations have a very simple procedure to replace the hips and have to wear braces for awhile and then its over...but in Ella's case things are not so simple! If I decide to put her through the surgery it will consist of bone reconstruction because her hips are not "made" to be in place??? Who knows?? It will be a major surgery and I'm not sure if it will be worth putting her through it or not. I will have awhile to make my decision because he will not do surgery until she is 2, god willing her health will allow.

Today we talked about her Rt. knee and using a splint to keep it bent while she sleeps, we also talked about starting weight bearing exercises in physical therapy. I can't imagine her standing... she is so tiny but that looks like what is in store for summer. Dr. Sears tells me that he has seem many children learn to walk, crawl, run and even jump with their hips out of place...that seems weird to me but I guess if they don't know any other way then they will adapt. We will go back in another 6mths for another x-ray and hopefully we can start to make some decisions about surgery.

At this point I have no idea what to do! I hate to put her through a major surgery and her still not ever walk. On the other hand I hate not to do it and think that my decision is the reason she never walks. I just have to pray for guidance and let god lead me in the right direction. I already know I will have many more decisions to make and they will probably only get harder. I do believe in a "mothers instinct" and I know God will not lead me wrong. Remember me in your prayers, I will always need them...because I will always be a mother!
Melissa