Question
A 6-month-old female baby, born normally, now has a difference in the length and thickness of her two legs. The upper limbs and feet are normal. The X-ray conclusion is that the left lower limb is slightly longer than the right, with the left femur measuring 128.7MM, the right femur 125.9MM, the left tibia 107.3MM, and the right tibia 104.3MM. No abnormal changes in bone quality were observed.
Answer
This should be considered as a potential congenital hip dislocation. Initially, observe and determine whether surgery is necessary; generally, no standing practice should be done within 10 months. Around 10 months old, an X-ray recheck is conducted to decide whether to perform surgical fixation, such as casting. If casting is not effective, surgery may be considered. Without knowing the specific situation, the basic treatment approach should be as described above. The appearance of pediatric orthopedic diseases severely affects patients’ work. Patients need not only symptomatic treatment but also pay attention to daily care. They should eat more vegetables and fruits and consume more calcium-rich foods to reduce the risk of disease occurrence.