New mobility hope for hip dysplasia children

Hip dysplasia standing frame

As any parent of a young child knows, it is almost impossible to keep them in one place for long. Children in a plaster cast, known as a hip spica cast, which encases them from toe to chest, have no option, however, but to remain prone throughout the recovery time as the only mobility product available on the market is a recliner wheelchair which is large, heavy and impossible to manoeuvre around the home.

Unsurprisingly, recovery time can seem endless and can be extremely stressful for all concerned.

As the result of a collaboration between Hawke’s Bay Hospital, Wellington-based Medix21 — one of New Zealand’s leading distributors of rehabilitation equipment — and IRL’s Assistive Devices group in Christchurch, a new upright mobility device is now being developed.

The new standing frame will be lighter, smaller, fully adjustable and more manoeuvrable than any other product on the market, and most importantly, will allow children in a hip spica cast to enjoy upright mobility at home, outdoors and at school or pre-school.

Alistair More, Head of Occupational Therapy and a Wheelchair and Seating Therapist at Hawke’s Bay Hospital, is delighted that his vision two years ago of a manoeuvrable standing frame for his young patients is now so close to becoming a reality.

“The results of the pilot studies conducted so far have been tremendously positive. Parents appreciated that their child could be upright to eat, to play with toys and computers, or to just give them a cuddle. And of course, it was wonderful being able to easily manoeuvre them around the home and garden.

“Some parents have had to resort to using things like potato barrows, skateboards and mechanics’ trolleys, in an attempt to allow an easier life for their children, so for them this new frame is wonderful.

"I’ve also had some extremely positive feedback about it from the orthopaedic nursing staff here at the hospital so it’s all very encouraging.”

For David Rogan, Global Marketing and Export Manager, Medix21, this is a subject close to his heart.

“I’m 100% behind this product, I think it’s absolutely fantastic. I have a young niece who had a hip operation, so I know first-hand the problems faced by families of children in hip spicas. To be able to have the child in different positions for eating, shopping and taking part in regular family life is just great.”
 
David Rogan believes the new standing frame could be an excellent export product for New Zealand.

“There’s a need out there and there’s currently nothing like it on the market. We are in a partnership with Sidhil, major UK specialists in paediatric hospital equipment, and we have worldwide connections so we would be looking at international distribution.”

The new design has been adapted by IRL, under the FRST^[?] TechNet scheme, from one of a suite of products in the Medix 21 range, the Gelârt XTRA.

Marcus King, Team Leader of Assistive Devices, says further modifications are underway and he hopes a prototype will be available next year.