Which is better: Freik's pillow or Pavlik's stirrups?

Children's products

From the first months of life after birth, the baby needs increased attention. The development of bone and muscle tissue occurs constantly, and now he is already taking his first steps around the room. At this point, it is important to pay attention to how the child puts his feet. If he limps or waddles, this may indicate the presence of hip dysplasia.

Frejk's pillow or Pavlik's stirrups

The exact causes of the manifestation of pathology are unknown, therefore, parents should especially carefully monitor the baby. Doctors identify predisposing factors:

  1. genetic predisposition (transmitted more often through the female line);

  2. an excess of progesterone in a woman before childbirth (disrupts the development of ligaments and muscles in a child);

  3. limited mobility of the fetus in the uterus due to incorrect position;

  4. mother's diseases and negative factors at the stage of pregnancy;

  5. prematurity (tissues did not have time to develop properly).

In 80% of cases, dysplasia occurs in girls. If the mother had problems in childhood, then the child may show them. Strengthen the negative factors of the disease, prematurity of the fetus, disturbed hormonal background.

What are they prescribed for?

Today, the issue of treating hip dysplasia is well studied, therefore, a number of effective methods are used. For these purposes, a Frejk pillow or Pavlik's stirrups is used, which allow you to keep the baby's legs in a divorced position. This contributes to the correct development of the ligamentous-muscle tissues and the formation of functionality. It remains only to decide which of these devices is better and how they differ from each other.

Frejk's pillow and Pavlik's stirrups are used for similar tasks:

  1. keeping the femoral head in the correct position;

  2. strengthening the ligaments and muscles of the hip joint;

  3. stimulating the development of the acetabulum and femoral head.

Once research had established exactly how dysplasia in babies should be treated, various specialists began to develop adaptations for this.

Pavlik's stirrups

Pavlik's stirrups

The device, created by Czech orthopedist Arnold Pavlik, rigidly fixes the baby's legs in a divorced position. He cannot straighten them or bring them together. The device in its current version is a system of braces and straps that are put on the chest and shoulders of the child, and are attached with straps to the ankle.

Pavlik's stirrups should be used only under the supervision of an orthopedist, who selects the optimal length. Adaptation takes 3-4 days, during which the straps are tightened to the desired length. The spread of the legs is maintained throughout the entire wearing. The complication rate does not exceed 15%.

Advantages

  • tight fixation of the legs in the correct position;

  • treatment of severe cases of dysplasia;

  • recommended up to 1 year;

  • ease of length adjustment;

disadvantages

  • the risk of dislocation of the femoral head due to the peculiarities of the attachment.

Pavlik stirrups are recognized as an effective treatment for hip dysplasia in various manifestations. But regular observation by an orthopedist is required, who detects developmental abnormalities. While wearing, the stirrups must remain dry, otherwise they roughly affect the baby's skin.

Freyk's pillow

Freyk's pillow

The Frejk pillow fits under the knees and fixes the legs in a bent position. The baby takes the form of a 'frog', in which the muscles develop correctly. The device contributes to the spontaneous reduction of dislocation without complex and dangerous effects. It is a dense roller, located between the baby's knees, and fixed in the correct position from a physiological point of view with special belts.

The Frejka splint is recommended to be used in the early stages of development – from 1 to 3 months. If there is a suspicion of developmental abnormalities, the pediatrician sends to an orthopedist, who conducts an ultrasound examination and X-ray. Self-treatment is not allowed.

Advantages

  • sparing effect on the baby;

  • there is no adaptation period;

  • allowed to shoot;

  • soft and comfortable tire;

disadvantages

  • restriction of movement;

  • only suitable for mild cases.

Frejk pillows are prescribed by specialists in the first six months of a baby's life and act more as a prophylactic agent than as a full-fledged treatment. This is especially true for difficult situations with hip dislocations and subluxations. Studies show that Frejk's perinkas give complications in 15% of cases – slightly more than Pavlik's stirrups, but still this is a low indicator.

How long to wear?

How long to wear

The Frejk pillow is recommended to be worn from 12 to 24 hours a day, depending on the instructions of the doctor. The total length of the course for infants is no more than 2 months. The earlier deviations are detected, the easier and faster the treatment is. In some situations, for preventive purposes, Freika's perinka is prescribed for up to 1.5-2 years.

Like any orthopedic product, it should be worn at all times. It is allowed to shoot only in certain cases:

  1. diaper change;

  2. bathing and compulsory water procedures;

  3. wellness massage;

  4. physiotherapy prescribed by a doctor.

The baby spends the rest of his free time with fixed legs. Throughout the entire period, the orthopedist regularly examines the baby. An ultrasound scan is recommended every two weeks to determine the extent of the changes.

The main difference and disadvantage of Pavlik's stirrups is the need for constant wearing, especially in the first month. In this regard, they are prescribed only for dislocations and subluxations after 6 months from birth. Due to restrictions, difficulties arise with ordinary procedures – bathing, changing a diaper, changing clothes.

Parents should follow the recommendations of experts:

  1. put on only a disposable diaper under the stirrups, immediately remove shorts, sliders, tights and other clothing;

  2. when changing a diaper, try not to lift the baby's legs, but just slip your hands under your hips;

  3. the straps of the stirrups must remain dry, otherwise they will rub the skin, regularly examine the baby to see damage;

  4. places with redness must be treated and massaged so that bruises do not appear;

  5. due to difficulties with bathing, it is better to use a wet sponge and wipe the child several times a day;

  6. choose loose suits and dresses to wear over stirrups;

  7. loosen the chest strap during and after feeding for 1 hour.

!

Throughout the entire period, the treatment of the baby's dislocations should be placed only on firm mattresses without pillows.

Since we are talking about the systematic correction of disorders of the hip joint, it is important to systematically follow the recommendations of doctors. Regardless of what kind of device is used, it must be worn for the entire period. Parents feel sorry for the kids, so they remove the bandages, but this leads to displacement and loss of all positive progress. It is important to remember that this will help get rid of serious complications in the future, it is necessary for his health.

Choosing the right size

To save the baby from discomfort, follow the instructions for use, regularly undergo a doctor's examination, and select the correct size of the bandages. Frejk's pillows are available with age markings and distance between legs. A roughly similar system for Pavlik's stirrups:

  1. Size 0 – for children from 3 months, up to 60 cm in height, up to 5 kg;

  2. 1 size – for children from 6 months, up to 60 cm, up to 8 kg;

  3. Size 2 – for children under 1 year old, up to 75 cm, up to 11 kg;

  4. Size 3 – for children up to 15 months, up to 85 cm, up to 10-12 kg;

  5. Size 4 – for children up to 1.5 years old, up to 95 cm, up to 13 kg.

The orthopedic surgeon will help you choose the right size and determine the distance to which the baby's legs should be spread. In this case, discomfort is minimized, and the treatment is effective.

!

In the following articles, our experts tell you how to choose the right ergo backpack, you will also find out which is better – a sling or a kangaroo and the secrets of choosing a sling.


Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.

Rate article
An online magazine about style, fashion, etiquette, lifestyle, and about choosing the best products and services.
Add a comment