My name SSgt Andrew Harden and I am currently working within the Cyprus Joint Police Unit. My good friends daughter suffers from DDH. DDH is commonly used when talking about hip dysplasia in children.  Approximately 1 out of every 20 full-term babies has some hip instability and 2-3 out of every 1,000 infants will require treatment. In spite of the frequency of DDH in babies and the potential for life-long disability caused by DDH, the awareness of this condition is poor outside of the medical profession. Early diagnosis, prevention and simple treatment is the best solution, however many hip dislocations are difficult to treat with the current methods of care.

Neaves story
is as follows:

Diagnosis:
Fri 31 Jan 14

1st Op:
Thu 20 Feb 14 - Open Reduction

Neave’s first operation was an Open Reduction, which brought the head of her femur (the ball at the top of the thigh bone) into her acetabulum (hip socket).  The surgery was conducted through several incisions in her groin and around her affected hip.  The careful release of tight tendons and ligaments was performed to ensure the socket was clear allowing a tension free reduction of the ball into the socket.  After surgery was completed, the leg was placed into a position where the hip joint was the most stable. For Neave, this meant her leg was set facing back and to the outside position.  She then remained in what was effectively a full body cast known as a ‘spica’ (which covered from her chest down to her ankle on the affected side and her knee on the so-called ‘good’ side) for six weeks.

2nd Op:
Thu 03 Apr 14 - Femoral Osteotomy

Neave’s second operation was a Femoral Osteotomy, during which the top end of the femur was realigned to give better stability to the hip.  The femur was carefully divided surgically just below the femoral neck and rotated to the best position.  The femoral osteotomy was then secured in the correct position with a metal plate and four screws.  Neave was then placed into her second spica cast for a further six weeks.

3rd Op:
Thu 19 Mar 15 - Pelvic Osteotomy

Neave's third operation was a Pelvic Osteotomy.  As the hip was not developing as desired another procedure was needed; during which, part of the pelvic bone was cut and moved in order to improve the structure of the hip socket and to improve support for the femoral head.  During this procedure, the plate and screws from Neave's 2nd Op were removed.  Neave was then placed into the spica cast for a further six weeks.

4th Op:
Thu 18 Aug 16 - Femoral Osteotomy

Neave's fourth operation was another Femoral Osteotomy.  As the hip was again not developing as desired she required another procedure.  This was a repeat of the 2nd operation and was done to ensure the hip developed in as stable a position as possible.  This again resulted in her being in cast for six weeks.  Following it's removal Neave will undergo further physiotherapy to allow her to get back to walking and she will continue to have regular check-ups and hip scans during which further treatment and operations will be considered if deemed necessary.

Event

11 of my colleagues and I will be raising money for DDH by marching 68  miles from Dhekelia Police Station to Episkopi Police Station within 24 hrs carrying 15 kg each. 

Thank you all for support