Spica Cast Update - One Year Later

Dylan has had 3 X-rays since his spica cast was removed -- each one yielding the same results (in layman's terms):  the head of the joint on his left side was starting to develop, but the X-rays showed that the respective socket was not developing around it.  So based on the X-ray alone, it looked as if his left hip was still dislocated... obviously bad news. 

The doctor in Brazil ordered up an MRI (which meant general anesthesia) since the X-rays did not show cartilage development.  There was a chance (according to the doctor) that the cartilage was developing over the ball of the joint but could not be seen on the X-ray since it was not bone yet.  We didn't have our hopes set too high since he also said that he wouldn't be ordering up an MRI if he didn't think there was a good chance there was an issue.  He did note that some doctors would perform surgery based off the X-rays alone.  So in the case when the cartilage is developing the right way, surgery would be performed with good results even though the hip would have developed just fine without the surgery -- the performing surgeon would be a hero in the parents eyes.

We also sent the X-rays back to the doctor who did Dylan's first surgery to get his thoughts -- he said based on the X-rays that surgery was required.  I then told him about the recommended MRI from the doctor here in Brazil, he was surprised they would even order it up -- I think partly due to the cost of the MRI versus the chance that it would yield bad results on his hip.

It didn't take much thought for Cathy and I to decide to go with the MRI.  It seems that everything with Dylan has been in the outlier range -- meaning if there was a small chance of good news (or bad as in the past), by Dylan theory, he would hit it.  So last Friday morning Dylan went under (again, for the 3rd time by age 2) and he did the MRI.  He actually woke up and was his normal wild man self within 3 hours.  Then the doctor sent Cathy a text saying it was good news!  We were very excited to say the least, but wanted to talk with him to make sure -- sure enough, good news!  The cartilage (which cannot be seen on the X-ray) was developing over the ball of his joint on the left side in the same manner that the bone of his right side has already developed.  He said there's a very good chance (cannot ever say 100%) that his left hip would develop just fine!  From this point we have to continue to monitor and make sure it develops as anticipated... it's nice to have some solid data which coincides with the hip development process the doctor discussed with us before the MRI.