[HoneyMurcott]

DD (24 months) has hip dysplasia and is being managed by the Ortho Team at Westmead. Her hips remain 'abonormal' but are tracking very, very slowly towards 'normal'. Like many DDH kids she is 'hyperflexible'. She's been walking for about 7 months. Her Drs are happy with her progress.

We live in a cold climate so she's been in socks all winter. So with the warmer weather she's been running around bare foot and I've suddenly noticed that she has essentially no arch in her foot (and I don't know when children develop a strong arch). In addition her 4th and 5th toes frequently seem to be rotated outwards as if they are on their sides (sorry for poor description). She then seems to be pushing down through these toes to help her keep balanced. She does not seem at all worried about it.

She walks steadily. She does not have a limp. She can't really run. She can't jump. She can walk on her tip-toes for a short time. So ...... probably a reasonably normal 2 year old especially considering her treatment for DDH ...... but when standing and walking her feet look odd.

Do I need to see a podiatrist? Or should I start elsewhere?

Thanks so much.

Meg

[s-m]

Here in Canberra I would take her to a physio drop-in session at Therapy ACT. It was suggested I do this with my (older) DD when she had her nurse assessment at school (this is offered to all Kindergarten students). The physio had a look and said there was no problem still having flattish feet at over 5y because they corrected when she stands on one foot or on her toes, and there were no other issues. All it confirmed for me is my previously-held belief that MACH nurses are natural-born panic-merchants

Maybe check with Westmead if there is a Physio outpatients service you could tap into?

Steph

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

I visited my MCHN with my concerns about our son's feet who referred us to a podiatrist at our child development centre (government). We were seen to within about 2-3 weeks and it didn't cost us anything. So maybe start there, or your local GP?

HTH

[red_squirrel]

I have similar with DS2 (18mnths) but not the hip dysplasia.
As PP we are also seeing a physio at our local children's hospital. They have diagnosed him with low muscle tone and have made him orthotics for his shoes as he has lax joints and is severely pronated.
Is there a physio at the place where you go for the hips. It would be good if you had the two specialists working together. If not a GP can give you a referal to a physio.