Hip dysplasia: Children's book tells story of girl's treatment

A girl who spent the first two years of her of her life with her legs in a harness and casts has had her story turned into a children's book.

Athena was diagnosed with a severe form of hip dysplasia at two weeks old.

Following her treatment at Southampton Children's Hospital, which was part of an international trial, she is now able to enjoy an active childhood.

Her mum Alexa has written a book - Athena's Magic Trousers - to help other children with the congenital condition.

Born in April 2015, Athena was one day old when her new-born physical screening examination showed a slight click in one of her hips.

Scans showed developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in its most severe form.

The congenital condition stops the ball and socket joints of the hip from developing properly.

Without treatment, doctors say she would have grown up with worsening pain, limping and struggling with any physical activity and sport.

She was fitted with a special harness, but after 10 days she suffered with a femoral nerve palsy, an extremely rare event where the nerve gets trapped causing loss of movement.

Athena then underwent surgery, where an incision is made in the front of the hip to open the joint, so that the ball of the hip will fit back into the socket.

Before her operation Athena spent time in a gallows traction - with her legs secured in the air at a 90-degree angle for seven days.

Alex Aarvold, consultant paediatric orthopaedic surgeon, said: "Because Athena's hips were dislocated, her muscles were distorted.

"The traction allows the muscles to relax and pulls the hips into a better position, avoiding complications and making surgery more successful."

Following surgery Athena was placed in a spica cast for a total of 12 weeks.

The unusual-shaped cast that covers both legs, waist and abdomen became known as her "magic trousers".

Athena was also enrolled onto the Global Hip Dysplasia Registry, a worldwide trial aimed to gather information on hip dysplasia cases across the world and compare outcomes.

About 100 children are treated for the condition at Southampton Children's Hospital each year, although not all require surgery.

Mr Aarvold said Athena, now eight, was "doing brilliantly".

He said: "Without this treatment she would be limping, getting worsening pain and be limited in all these activities that she now excels at."

Her mother, an English teacher, said the book, written in rhyme and telling the story of Athena's journey, was to thank the "most incredible" team who cared for her daughter.

"I also wanted to give parents some hope and alleviate some of that anxiety and worry about their little ones," she said.

Athena said: "I am really happy that children will get to read my book. I want it to help them not be worried. I hope their magic trousers work like mine did."

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.