Information for parents and carers
Advice after using a Pavlik harness
Your child’s hips on ultrasound and clinical checks are now within normal limits and we are happy for the removal of their Pavlik Harness. This leaflet contains some information that may be helpful for you in the first few days and months to come before your next review.
What to expect after harness removal
- Just like when the harness was applied, your baby may be unsettled for the first 48-72 hours after removal of the harness.
- Your child may, when relaxed, still have their legs in the frog leg position, gradually this will improve.
- The chest strap of the harness provided increased support to your baby when carrying, now it has been removed you may feel they are less sturdy and require more support
- We continue to recommend no swaddling of the legs when the harness is removed and to keep the legs free.
- Being in a harness reduces a baby’s ability to roll. Now it has been removed you may notice your baby is more inclined to move and therefore should not be left unsupervised on changing tables. Some babies however will not roll, and in isolation, this should not be cause for concern.
- Being treated for hip dysplasia in a harness should not cause a delay in gross motor skills like crawling and walking once it has been removed.
Signs to look out for
Your baby’s hips have been examined normally on removal of the harness however we would like you to continue to monitor and contact us should you notice any of the following:
- One leg cannot be moved out sideways as far as the other when changing your baby’s nappy
- One leg seems to be longer than the other
- One leg drags when your baby starts crawling
- Your child walks with a limp or has a ‘waddling’ gait when they start walking, or they walk on tiptoes on one side.
What are the next steps?
Your child will be followed up at 1 year of age with a pelvic X-ray and clinical check to ensure normal ongoing development of the hips. It is not uncommon to require further reviews after this.
Further information
Following treatment for hip dysplasia, we do not recommend the use of baby walkers, baby bouncers or jumperoos and suggest allowing your baby to get up on their feet in their own time.
Contact Us
If you have any concerns and require more information, please contact your physiotherapist
Physiotherapy department
Royal Hospital for Children and Young People,
50 Little France Crescent
Edinburgh
EH16 4SA
Telephone: 0131 312 1079
Monday – Friday between 9am and 5pm
Other leaflets
