Bent legs

[StevieBoy]

Does anyone know a child under the age of 5 thats had their legs broken and reset to correct "bent" legs.

[Philtaz]

I work in the Op Theatre and have seen something similar to what you describe.  If it is the same procedure we are thinking about it is usually known as a Hip Spica.

The legs are not actually broken, just placed in a special plaster cast that positions them to grow in a desired position. That position usually involves the legs being spread into a V shape with a spreader bar(usually something as common as a sawn wooden broom handle!) attached to each plastered leg.

[nicola_red]

I had the procedure that Philtaz describes to correct a dislocated hip.  I was in the plaster cast for 10 months as a baby.  It didn't really work and I still ended up with one leg shorter than the other because of the dislocated hip.

[smudge]

When you say 'bent legs' do you mean 'Rickets' or something similar I wonder?

[StevieBoy]

Cheers chaps, but I was kind of after more of a reassurance thing that it's v safe these days. here's a website from parents blah blah. Anything to reassure a distressed parent really. Can you help?