A MUM is hoping to raise awareness of a condition that meant her daughter had to spend seven months of her young life in plaster.

Elise Fogel, now aged eight, was born with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip — better known as clicky hips – which meant her hip sockets were too shallow to hold her legs meaning they were regularly dislocated.

Her mum Jay is hoping to raise awareness of the signs of 'clicky hips' for Baby Hip Health week, which began on Monday.

Elise's mum and dad Danny noticed that her legs would click when she moved them but was told several times that this was normal and it was only when the couple took Elise to the doctor that she was diagnosed.

Jay, of Bowden Close, Leigh, said: “Elise was checked for ‘clicky hips’ as part of her check-up before she left hospital when she was born and again at her six-week check up.

“If it had been detected then, Elise would have been able to have what was called a Pavlik harness which is like a pair of cotton dungarees that hold the legs outwards. But because she was about seven months by the time she was diagnosed and referred for treatment she was too old for that.

“She had to have an operation where they attached a cast from her waist to her ankle to allow the shallow sockets to grow around her leg bone.

“She had that on for about 10 weeks but because she was growing so quickly she had to have another operation for a longer cast to be but on.”

This cast was on for about 12 weeks before it was again changed for a final cast which also stayed on for about 12 weeks.

“The doctors told us that she wasn’t in any pain but it did make things difficult for us.

“Things like changing her nappy were a lot more complicated but luckily the treatment worked and she can do everything a normal eight-year-old girl can. It is not a very well known condition and if treated later it can cause problems later on in life which is why I want to raise awareness of the symptoms, ” said Jay

Parents should look out if their child’s legs are different lengths, deep unequal folds in the thighs, if they limp or waddle when walking.

Jay added: “Because Elise had it on both legs we could feel clicking and her hips were clunky but this isn’t always the case, especially if they only have it in one leg.”

"I would also like to inform parents that using baby carriers that don't support the legs well can add strain to the hips.

"Children should also be discouraged from 'W sitting' which is when they sit with their legs behind their bottom whilst on the floor. When swaddling babies the blanket should not be tight around the legs allowing the baby to be able to bring legs upward and outward comfortably."

To find out more, visit steps-charity.org.uk.