joint. The "ball part of the joint is the top part of the thigh bone. It is the femoral head. The "socket" is a part of the pelvic bone. ‚
With this health problem, the ball does not get enough blood flow to it. Without blood flow, the bone dies. When that part of the bone dies, it becomes flat and loses its round shape. Most often, the blood flow comes back over a few months. New bone cells grow over the next 2 to 3 years and replace the dead bone. ‚
Most often, children only have this problem in one hip. Sometimes, it can happen in both hips. Children fully recover from this problem in most cases. Children younger than 6 have the best chance to end up with a normal hip joint. Older children may end up with a deformed hip joint and may get arthritis later. ‚
What care is needed at home?
Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child. ‚
The goal of treatment is to protect the hip joint and keep the ball in the socket. The doctor may have your child: ‚
- Wear a brace or cast
- Walk with crutches to take pressure off the injured hip
- Use pillows to help position the hip
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. The doctor may send your child to see a specialist called a pediatric orthopedic doctor. The doctor may also send your child to physical therapy to learn exercises to help with this problem. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). These are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).
- Help with pain, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Children younger than 18 should not take aspirin. This can lead to a very bad health problem. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
Your child may need to rest the hip for a while. Your child should not do physical activity that causes more pain. If your child plays sports, your child may not be able to play until the health problem gets better. Talk to the doctor about the right kinds of activity for your child. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Arthritis later in life ¢ ˆ ’ this may be more likely to happen in children who are older than 6 when they get this health problem
- One leg longer than the other
- Loss of some hip movement
- Hip break or fracture
- Hip dislocation
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
There is nothing you can do to prevent this problem. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Your child begins limping or limping gets worse
- Health problem is not better or your child is feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my child's pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child begins limping or is limping more.
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://www.kidshealth.org.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/contentpage/pi_id/187 ‚
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/563/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚