A child has asymmetrical folds on the legs: causes, norms and deviations, medical opinions

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

When a mother discovers that her child has uneven leg creases, she becomes visibly anxious. If, in addition, she heard that this is a sign that there is some violation in the hip joint, then the woman may begin to panic. You should not do this, although it is also unacceptable to leave it unattended.

Asymmetry of skin folds can also be in babies who are absolutely he althy. But only a doctor can determine whether this is a deviation or a norm. Therefore, if there is even the slightest suspicion, one should consult him.

Reasons for appearance

Before receiving an extract from the maternity hospital, a young mother needs to learn how to properly care for her baby. Here she will be assisted by a neonatologist and medical staff.

You need to be very careful about caring for the navel area and cleaning the nose, ears.

Asymmetrical folds on the legs of an infant can be detected by bending his limbs. Must seegroin and knee area. If the peanut has deviations, it is immediately suspected that he has dysplasia. That is why the asymmetry must be traced even when the baby was discharged from the hospital.

A similar situation will be observed if the hip joints are not sufficiently developed. To diagnose the little ones, you need to turn it over on your tummy and try to straighten their legs as much as possible. To begin with, you should pay attention to the length of the limb. If the newborn has asymmetrical folds on the legs, this will indicate that during the development of the crumbs, there was some kind of pathology even before birth.

The clinical picture can be considered aggravated if there is some tension when trying to spread the limbs. In addition, a characteristic click is heard in the legs.

The solution to the orthopedic problem in babies is real if moms and dads turn to the doctor in a timely manner. Otherwise, dysplasia will worsen, and this will lead to some inconvenience in walking. In the future, the child may develop lameness that will remain for life.

What is dysplasia?

In some babies, the structure of the hip joint is still immature at the time of birth. Articular ligaments are too elastic. And only by the year the periarticular ligaments and the joint will finally form.

If some peanuts develop joints correctly and at the right time, then others have some slowdown in development. Doctors call this condition joint immaturity. Unsymmetrical folds on the legsin infants (the photo fully reflects the picture of what is happening) and can be a symptom of this borderline state between the norm and pathology.

If the joint is immature, it can later turn into a developmental disorder, that is, into dysplasia. Therefore, a visit to the doctor should not be postponed so that the diagnosis is established in a timely manner and treatment is started.

There are practically no clear criteria in the diagnosis of the described disease. To confirm or exclude the diagnosis, it is necessary to do an ultrasound scan, and possibly an X-ray. But some symptoms can be seen by the mother herself:

• if she bends her legs at the hip and knee joints, one knee will be slightly higher than the other;
• there is some asymmetry of the inguinal, popliteal and gluteal folds;
• if mom's baby's hip moves to the side, there is a limit.

When a mother finds at least one of these symptoms in her child, a visit to the orthopedist is mandatory!

Dysplasia symptoms

During the first twelve months of a baby's life, it is necessary to show the orthopedist at least three times. For this, 1, 3 and 6 months of the life of a peanut are intended. If there is a need, then it is necessary to assemble a commission in order to listen to its authoritative opinion. The members of this commission will carefully study the folds and length of the limbs. Also, the dynamics of the overall development of the child does not go unnoticed.

Diagnosing dysplasia in babies is possible only by taking into account the analysis of the presence of othersymptoms:

1. In some situations, the asymmetry of the folds is an innate feature of the crumb. The way the hip is positioned has absolutely no effect. But the final conclusion is made based solely on the results of the x-ray.
2. Different lengths of limbs can be observed when convulsions start from time to time. They negatively affect muscle tone, which is why there is a violation of the position of the folds. The result is a clearly visible change in symmetry.

How to diagnose at home?

Moms and dads have a responsibility to take special care of their little one and have special checkups from time to time:

• if adults try to bring the legs of the little one together, they see how different the folds on the legs are;
• mother tries to put the baby on her tummy, and he immediately starts to cry; besides, the baby wants to quickly change position;
• if you carefully study the folds on the legs, you can find asymmetric folds on the legs in a child, that is, there is no similarity in the groin and knees area;
• on one leg the folds are deeper than on the other.

If there is at least one of these signs, the child should be urgently shown to the orthopedist.

About prevention and treatment

Why the baby has asymmetrical folds on the legs, that is, what causes dysplasia, has not been fully elucidated even now. But doctors are convinced that if there is a genetic predisposition and pathology of pregnancy, the risk of its occurrence will increase. The reasons are as follows: first birth, large baby, pelvicpresentation.

For the purpose of prevention, and also if the hip joint is immature, simple methods will suffice. The doctor may prescribe massage, wide swaddling and special exercises that will be necessary in such a situation.

Dysplasia is detected already in the first weeks of life of a toddler. Therefore, treatment started on time in a short period of time will give a positive result.

Later creases

But there are times when a mother discovers asymmetric femoral folds on the legs of a baby much later, by about three or six months. Provocateur of the disease are tight swaddling and improper care. Therefore, you do not need to swaddle the baby's legs very tight. Indeed, in this way, mothers limit their mobility and fix the joints in the wrong position.

The earlier the disease is detected, the easier it is to deal with it. Do not neglect the mandatory orthopedic examinations, which, as a rule, are prescribed for children at the time of the first, third and sixth months. If this happened and the diagnosis of dysplasia was confirmed, do not despair. It is necessary to start treatment in a timely manner, thanks to which the little one, growing up, will be spared from serious problems.

Prevention

There are cases when, with the growing up of a baby, his joint is reduced without outside help. This will happen, perhaps, and due to the constant presence in the position, which will contribute to the reduction. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe additional actions that will speed up healing.

Doctors say that by itselfrepositioning can only happen in children who are not yet three months old. You should not swaddle babies tightly, because in this case the risk that he alth will be harmed will increase. It is necessary to swaddle in a certain way: put a thick diaper between the baby's legs, and a second copy will be needed to secure it.

If asymmetrical folds are found on the legs of the baby in front or behind, suitable - as a prophylaxis against dysplasia - are special gymnastic exercises that parents and children should do daily. Gymnastics consists in circular movements of the pelvis and legs. During this period of development, babies have very flexible bones, so reduction can happen by itself. Moms and dads will forever forget about a difficult diagnosis.

Don't forget the orthopedist

So, the parents saw asymmetrical folds on the legs of the baby. You don't have to panic right away. If the disease - dysplasia - was not diagnosed before the baby reaches three months of age, the possibility of its self-reduction increases. Parents need to resort exclusively to the method of free swaddling. Gymnastics will also work well.

Pediatricians advise visiting an orthopedist twice during the first six months of a baby's life. This can help identify pathology at the very beginning of development. The sooner this happens, the more likely it is to achieve a positive result in a short time. If dysplasia is not subjectedtreatment, the child may have problems not only while sitting, but also while walking.

What should moms and dads do when dysplasia is detected?

Of course, most parents are upset when at some point they find asymmetrical folds on the legs of the baby in the back or in front. But it turns out that there is nothing wrong with dysplasia, especially if you turn to the doctor in time. Parents should carefully listen to his recommendations and continue to adhere to them. The course of treatment is usually selected for each baby separately. There are also general options.

Examination may not reveal violations. So, asymmetrical folds on the legs of the baby in front or behind can occur against the background of the individual characteristics of the baby.

To get rid of hypertonicity, you need to do massage and apply electrophoresis. Only a doctor can determine how intense the impact should be and the time that the course should last. A positive result can be seen already after therapy, which lasts only ten days.

If the diagnosis - dysplasia - is confirmed, it is the orthopedist who can choose the right treatment method. In this case, it is important enough that this doctor can control every step of it.

When mom or dad notices that a child has asymmetrical folds on the legs, you should immediately make an appointment with a specialist. Only he will carry out the necessary diagnostic measures and select the course of treatment necessary in such a situation.

About treatment activities

If illnesshas a light form, the baby must be worn for a massage, due to which muscle hypertonicity is significantly reduced. Only when the muscles begin to act correctly, doctors will note the norm. The doctor must carefully examine each miner and prescribe the number of sessions. They will remove the pathology, which will negatively affect the gait of the growing baby.

If the folds are uneven, then sometimes, in more difficult cases, Pavlik's stirrups or Freik's tires will come to the rescue. Thanks to them, it is possible to fix the lower extremities in the required position. At the first stage of treatment, it will be enough to spread the legs a little and bend them a little. Parents need to understand: it is very important for the he alth of the child to diagnose the disease as early as possible. Because the treatment will be started sooner, which will give a good result. So, the baby will continue to develop and grow properly.

And finally

From this article, an important point has already become clear: in order to detect asymmetrical folds on the legs in a child, parents do not have to be doctors at all. You just need to love your baby very much and do everything necessary for his hygiene and he alth.

Creases are the perfect place for diaper rash to appear. When carrying out prevention, you need to remember that all the folds on the baby's body must be clean. As an additional measure, lubricate them with hypoallergenic baby oil or petroleum jelly.

If mom is worried about some situation, you should immediately contactsee a doctor.

Parents, remember: it is better to spend three or four days on unnecessary examinations than to treat neglected he alth problems of your beloved baby for many years.