The impact of brace treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip on caregivers and families

Listen to Simon and Amy discuss the paper 'The impact of brace treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip on caregivers and families' published in the August 2025 issue of Bone & Joint Open.

Click here to read the paper.

Be the first to know when the next episode is live! Follow our social media accounts, @BoneJointPortal and @BoneJointOpen on X for updates!

Transcript

[00:00:00] Welcome back to another episode of AI Talks with Bone & Joint from the publishers of Bone & Joint Open. Today we're discussing a paper published in August 2025 titled, 'The impact of brace treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip on caregivers and families' by J Craven and colleagues. I'm Simon, and I'm joined by my co-host, Amy.

Hello, everyone. Looking forward to exploring this topic, Simon. Developmental dysplasia of the hip or DDH is such a vital issue given its implications for infants and their families. 

To begin with, let's discuss why this research was conducted. Essentially, the researchers aimed to identify the impact of brace treatment on families and caregivers. They integrated a detailed literature review and data from a UK-based online survey. 

One notable aspect was the comprehensiveness of their approach. They conducted a thematic analysis that combined findings from the literature with direct feedback from 131 survey participants, predominantly mothers.

This dual [00:01:00] approach bolstered the validity of their findings. Regarding the methods, the study included a systematic review that identified eight relevant articles, coupled with an extensive online survey. They used thematic analysis to derive ten key themes. Let's discuss some of them. 

Yes, let's. Parental wellbeing for instance, was significantly impacted. Many parents reported feeling overwhelmed, unprepared, and isolated. The emotional distress related to managing a newborn with a brace is considerable. 

Moreover, the lack of consistent information greatly contributed to this distress. Parents often found the advice from healthcare providers to be insufficient or conflicting. This lack of clarity only heighten their anxiety and mistrust.

Which brings us to practical challenges; finding suitable clothing, managing, feeding, and ensuring the infant's comfort during sleep were all significant issues. Many parents struggled to find appropriate clothing compatible with the brace. Breastfeeding was particularly challenging, leading to stress, and sometimes early [00:02:00] cessation. 

Sleep disturbances were also a major concern. These issues affected both the infants and the parents' wellbeing. One can imagine how hard it is to maintain a routine with all those disruptions. 

Absolutely, Simon and let's not forget cleanliness. Managing hygiene, especially around nappy changes in bath time became particularly challenging due to the brace. These day-to-day practicalities added significant burdens on the families. 

True Amy. Concerns around child development were also very prominent. Parents worried about delays in physical milestones like tummy time and walking due to the brace. Although literature suggests limited evidence of long-term issues, the anxiety was palpable. 

Then there was the financial impact. The cost of specialized equipment, loss of income due to caregiving responsibilities, and additional expenses only added to the overall stress. 

And finally, the disruption to daily life. Frequent hospital visits, significant adjustments to family routines and restrictions on activities led to logistical challenges. [00:03:00] 

All these points highlight the extensive impact of DDH brace treatment on families. It's clear that emotional, practical, and financial challenges are significant and interconnected. 

Precisely Amy. This study underscores the need for comprehensive support systems and standardized care protocols. Developing robust support programs, providing high-quality information resources and exploring financial assistance options could help mitigate these challenges. 

Future research should focus on creating a core outcome set for family-centered outcomes during brace treatment. This will ensure that the effects on families are measured reliably and consistently. 

In conclusion, managing DDH brace treatment affects multiple facets of family life. Addressing these through targeted interventions and improved support systems is essential for more holistic and effective family care.

Indeed, Simon. Thank you all for joining us in this important conversation. 

Yes, thank you everyone. Until next time, take care.