Our adoptive daughter from China, Emmaline, began walking about 6 weeks ago. At the time, we noticed that she had a “waddling” sort of gait, like a duck. We shrugged it off initially, considering it some byproduct of her development delays, low muscle tone, etc. She is nineteen months old tomorrow.

However, over the course of the subsequent weeks, as she began to be more capable in walking, the strange posture (think “rear end jutting out”, exaggerated lordosis for you medical types) continued. Two weeks ago, we met with a physical therapist who urged us to take her to an pediatric orthopaedic specialist to rule out structural problems. I took her in the next day to a recommended doctor.

Unfortunately, an x-ray revealed that she has bilateral (both sides) hip dislocation. In other words, both of her legs are out of socket. The causes for this condition can range from congenital shallow hip socket to in-utero trauma to poor handling in the early months of life. But since Emmaline was put in our care at nine months old, we unfortunately have no way to know for sure what caused it. Last week, I took her to see the chief of pediatric orthopaedics at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital to get a second opinion and plan for a surgery. He conveyed that she was unusually flexible for someone with that condition. He also said he thinks that perhaps it was not congenital but rather the result perhaps of overly-tight swaddling in the orphanage.

This morning she was scheduled for surgery on the morning of September 11. The surgeon will first attempt a “closed reduction,” which is essentially manipulating the bones into proper place under anesthesia. If that doesn’t work, they’ll need to make small incisions and do an “open reduction” in the same surgery. If that doesn’t work, a more radical approach will have to be attempted, but we are hopeful we won’t have to go there, since she’s still less than two years old. The procedure will take up to two hours, and she will need to stay in the hospital overnight.

We covet your prayers for the upcoming surgery, and perhaps as much for the subsequent twelve weeks. Emmaline will need to be in immobilized in a hip spica cast (see drawing at right) for six weeks, then a new cast will be put in place for another six. This will place an enormous burden on us, and especially on Lois, who still has two rambunctious boys and an infant to care for. Pray that God would grant us a spirit of perseverance, patience and tender love for one another for what will likely be a very difficult three months. Thank you.