Walking into June’s routine wellness checkup, I expected the usual and we received a reassuring, positive report that told us our daughter was thriving. Before the appointment ended, I shared one remaining concern my husband had asked me to mention: that one of June’s legs appeared slightly shorter than the other.
The doctor reexamined June on the table, extended her legs, and noted the difference. She immediately wrote a referral for an X-ray and recommended we have it done right away. We went directly next door for imaging, and later that same day the pediatrician called to confirm that the X-ray showed Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH).
June was a happy, thriving baby who met her milestones and appeared unaffected in her day-to-day activities. Because there were no obvious limitations, the diagnosis was a complete shock to us. We learned about Nemours Children’s the same day we received June’s X-ray results, which occurred immediately after sharing our concern with her pediatrician at Nemours Children’s Health, Vero Beach.
Following the diagnosis, her pediatrician referred us directly to Nemours Children’s for pediatric orthopedic care. To do our due diligence, we also reached out to family and friends with connections in orthopedics for recommendations. Without exception, including from fellow orthopedic physicians, we received overwhelmingly positive feedback about Nemours. Based on those recommendations, we contacted Nemours and scheduled our first appointment at the Melbourne specialty care location.
From our very first visit, everyone at Nemours: doctors, nurses, and staff, were incredibly welcoming, which immediately put us at ease during a very unsettling time. Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Scott Fravel, is exceptional. He was thorough in explaining June’s diagnosis and treatment plan, compassionate in his approach, and took the time to patiently answer every question we had about her care. With Dr. Fravel and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Ryan Ilgenfritz, June underwent surgery to help correct her hip.
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida is truly outstanding. It was a night-and-day difference compared to our experience at another system, as Nemours is clearly designed with children and families in mind, helping them feel comfortable and supported.
Even when we were unable to stay at the Ronald McDonald House, the compassion surrounding Nemours extended beyond the hospital. When we contacted a nearby hotel and explained that our daughter was having surgery, they immediately offered us the Ronald McDonald House discounted rate without hesitation. What stood out most to us was the genuine kindness, empathy, and family-centered care we experienced at every step.
We are incredibly grateful that June is now hip healthy! Dr. Fravel is thrilled with her progress, and from the outside, no one would ever know what she has already overcome in her young life. She is active, keeps up with her big sister, loves to play outside, and continues to thrive. We plan to continue June’s yearly checkups with confidence and peace of mind, knowing she has the very best team of doctors supporting her continued health and development.
June’s diagnosis came as a complete shock, and at the time, we knew very little about hip dysplasia. One of the most helpful resources for us was connecting with other families through online Facebook groups. The support within these communities is incredible and families truly go above and beyond to help one another. Through these groups, I learned so much from mothers who had already walked this path, which helped me feel informed and prepared by the time June had surgery. We were able to acquire essential items like a spica table and spica highchair, along with countless tips and practical advice that made recovery far more manageable.
I am forever grateful for this DDH village and hope to support another family the way they supported us. One consistent message I heard from other parents was, “It’s harder on the parents than it is on the children, because kids are so resilient.” I held onto that hope throughout the process, and looking back, I can wholeheartedly say it was true.
