Two Month Check Up - First Sign of Torticollis and Hip Dysplasia

The two month well baby check up was the start of our torticollis and hip dysplasia journey. At this appointment, the pediatrician will maneuver your little one around into a few different positions to check for any body tightness, turning preferences, flat spots, and do a variety of hip/leg motions.

First, our doctor noted that baby girl had a preference for turning her head to the right side and that she had a bit of a corresponding flatness on the back right. When maneuvered, baby girl didn't want to turn her head all the way to the left to have her chin meet her shoulder. One of the questions asked by the doctor was whether baby girl had a preference for sleeping with her head to one side. We hadn't thought to look for this, but it seemed like she preferred to sleep to the right. Looking back, she also would slump/tilt a bit to the right when in the car seat. So, we got a referral to a pediatric physical therapist to take a deeper look.

Second, during the leg/hip maneuvers, the doctor indicated she felt a "clunk" in the left hip. Also, she said it seems like there were asymmetrical leg folds, with an additional fold on baby girl's left leg. Developmental hip dysplasia has four factors that are known to increase the chance of it being present in a baby - (1) first born, (2) girl, (3) family history, and (4) breech position. We did not have any known family history and baby girl was never breech (but I am fairly short and she was certainly crammed in there). But, she is a first born girl, so her odds of hip dysplasia are higher. With that, we got a referral to a pediatric orthopedic specialist.

Hearing all of this at my baby's two month appointment was very overwhelming and I absolutely cried in the doctor's office. I instantly started questioning if I had done something wrong or if I should have noticed something earlier. Only now that we are much further into this journey am I able to recognize that there wasn't anything I could have done. But, in the moment, it is heartbreaking to hear that multiple things may be "wrong" with your baby.

Leaving that appointment, I was filled with anxiety and dread for the follow up appointments with the specialists.