Maddison

👋 This is Maddison, my little hip chick and inspiration for @starfish_babes.

She is now almost 7, but Maddie was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia and put into the Pavlik Harness when she was 14 weeks old, back in 2014.

We are so thankful that our MCHN noticed her uneven thigh creases and recommended we have an ultrasound because, like many, we had no idea what Hip Dysplasia was or that this was a potential sign.

The ultrasound tech said she "looked ok" so when we left the hospital in a brace we were in shock. She cried, I cried, and we struggled with sleep and finding clothing for her to wear.

But after 6 weeks 23/7 in her brace, and another 3 weeks of nights only with fortnightly adjustments we made it. Maddie was discharged from Monash with healthy hips at 14 months old.

We were so lucky that Maddie was able to be treated with a brace and that she had a speedy recovery.

Early detection plays a critical role in reducing the burden of Hip Dysplasia in children. Regular hip checks and understanding the early warning signs are the first steps in ensuring an early diagnosis can be made.

That’s why we’re so passionate about sharing Maddie’s story — to help raise awareness for other families who have young children, or who will be starting a family in the future. We also want to give hope that early detection can lead to successful, non-invasive treatment options.