Hip Dysplasia Car Seats

Hip Dysplasia Support:

Click Car Seats offers a travel solution enabling your child to travel during the treatment DDH process. We supply our DDH car seats throughout Ireland and the U.K. The car seat is specially adapted and you can loan or buy the seat outright. If you choose to loan the DDH car seat we don't put a time limit on it and you can use the seat for as long as you need it. The seat can then be returned to us once your child has been given the all-clear. If you choose to purchase the seat, we supply all equipment to adjust the DDH car seat back to an everyday children's restraint.


DDH stands for Development Dysplasia of the Hip. A diagnosis of DDH can range from mild to severe. It is when the ball-shaped part of the end of the thighbone and its socket do not fit and operate together.

Around one or two in every thousand babies will have a hip issue that will require treatment. More babies will have immature hip conditions but they will get better without treatment. When it comes to DDH, it is a persistent ongoing issue and the earlier the diagnosis will see the reduction in the severity of DDH and the length of time for treatment needed.

When the femoral head (ball) is not held correctly in place, the acetabulum (socket) may be shallower than it should be. This means the ball may slide in and out of the socket and making the joint less stable. This is known as a subluxatable or dislocatable hip. If the ball loses contact with the socket and stays outside the joint, this is known as a dislocated hip. One or both hips could be affected.

DDH can happen to any baby however, some key factors can make the condition more likely.
A baby born breech or who was in the breech position during the last three months of pregnancy.
A close family history of DDH or hip issues that occurred in early childhood.

However, in many cases no identifiable factor causes DDH and the condition remains unknown. Occurrences that could affect early development in babies are; tight swaddling and spending excessive amounts of time in children's car seats. Any activity that will affect a baby's natural movement should be avoided.

How is DDH diagnosed?

Early diagnosis is common as all babies are checked at birth and then again at around six to eight weeks old. A baby's hips are assessed to establish if they are correctly positioned in the joint. These tests are known as the Barlow and Ortolani tests.

A baby may also be subject to an ultrasound if a family history of DDH is apparent.
A baby was in the breech position during pregnancy.
A multiple birth.

Any physical examination is not guaranteed to detect DDH. Some babies will appear to be normal at the time of examination and develop problems later. Or even that DDH was not identified at the time. Early diagnosis offers the best chance of treatment. As a child gets older the condition can be more difficult to treat and the risk of arthritis of the hip can develop from a young age. Families can look out for specific signs as the baby/child develops. These include;

Creasing of the buttocks or thighs.
During nappy changes, one or both legs do not move fully outwards and appear restricted.
Leg drag when crawling.
One leg appears longer than the other.
Limping if one side is affected.
A waddle if both hips are affected.
A child may not feel any pain with the above symptoms.

Treatment:


From birth to around six months babies with DDH are usually fitted with a special cast/harness/splint. These need to be worn for several weeks and in most cases, it will correct the position. A specialist at the hospital will advise the treatment and course. In some cases, surgery may be required. Regular checkups and ultrasound scans are part of the ongoing assessment to ensure the correct course of treatment.

Car Seat for Development Dysplasia of the Hip. (DDH)

Here at Click Car Seats, we can help keep your family mobile for the all-important hospital appointments and assessments as well as keep you moving on a daily basis. Our DDH car seat will allow installation in multiple vehicles as well as options for all three back seat positions. We will fully advise you of installation options. Our specially adapted DDH car seat can be installed rearward or forward-facing. We recommend that the DDH car seat is installed rearward-facing if possible. Depending on the cast and your vehicle, the DDH car seat may need to be installed forward-facing. In any direction, we will support you to ensure you click right and click tight.

If you have any questions prior to ordering, please contact us at: support@clickcarseats.ie