Traction Check Up

Today was our Hip Chick's traction check up and she received an A+!  So far, her medical team seems encouraged that we are handling the process properly.  They advised that her legs looked good and they were pleased with the estimated amount of time she spends in traction daily.  She received new stirrups and outer bandages.  We do not need to return again until her surgery date unless she needs another dressing change.  We are proud of our baby girl and ourselves!

Of course, the question remains:  "Is traction working?"  We will not learn the answer to this question until her surgery.  Everyone remains hopeful.

Speaking of her surgery, we did chat with her surgeon today.  While there are no guarantees, her initial plan of a closed reduction is still the preferred and anticipated course of action on her surgery date in three weeks.  Should he be unable to reset her femur via the closed reduction attempt, she will have an anterior open reduction during that same OR time.  Her surgeon advised that this specific type of open reduction requires a larger incision, but is the more successful approach for our hippie's needs.  He also advised that a femoral shortening could be required- meaning, he may need to remove part of her femur.  He has a very practical approach (which we appreciate) and remarked that there are numerous nuances to her potential needs and we will not know her specific requirements until she is in the OR.

Lastly, I have admired the kaleidoscope photographed above each time we visited Scottish Rite and could not resist snapping it today.  Her surgeon likened the approach to fixing her hip to writing a recipe or cooking; that it make take a dash more or less of an ingredient to achieve her desired results.  I also think of the kaleidoscope- as her surgeon turns and rolls the tool, the pieces will eventually fall into place to create her own beautiful picture.