Childhood illnesses always raise a lot of questions and worries about the future of the child. It is especially difficult to detect diseases that develop quite latent and are determined only after a full diagnosis by a doctor. One of such diseases is hip dysplasia. Only the attentive eye of a loving parent can notice something wrong at the very beginning and turn to a competent specialist. At the appointment, the specialist will determine the degree of deviation and prescribe recommendations for treatment.
Content
- What is the Frejka pillow for?
- How to put on the Frejka pillow?
- How to determine the size of the Frejka pillow?
- How does a child behave in a Frejka pillow?
- How much does a Frejka pillow cost?
- Which is better - Pavlik stirrups or Frejka pillow?
- How to make it yourself?
- VIDEO: How to sew a Frejka pillow yourself.
- VIDEO: How to wear a Frejka splint correctly.
What is the Frejka pillow for?
The Frejka pillow is a special orthopedic invention of the Austrian doctor Frejka.
It is intended for the treatment of hip dysplasia in children at an early age. The perinka allows you to keep the baby's legs in a spread position, in the frog pose.
Long-term wearing of the structure promotes correct formation and normal insertion of the femoral head into the pelvic bone. As a rule, it is prescribed when the situation is not so critical, but it is still better to treat dysplasia. Indications for wearing are:
- subluxation and subluxation of the hip;
- mild dysplasia.
Therefore, treatment using a pillow can only be prescribed by a doctor.
How to put on the Frejka pillow?
The first fitting should take place in the office of the attending physician. He will be able to explain and draw attention to the most important points on how to properly put on the Frejka pillow. However, if such an opportunity is not available, then parents will be able to put the feather bed on the child themselves, having studied the nuances in advance:
- the tire is laid out on a flat surface and straightened out completely;
- Place the child on top so that the middle of the cushion coincides with the middle of the hip joint;
- the child's legs are bent at the knees and carefully spread apart to the required position;
- Fix the tire securely.
Important! When fixing all the straps, make sure that they do not squeeze the baby's delicate skin.
If you notice significant discomfort or pain in your baby, you should immediately consult a doctor.
How to determine the size of the Frejka pillow?
The success of treatment directly depends on the correct selection of the orthosis. When determining the size, parents should rely on 2 categories at once:
- age;
- knee abduction width.
Category 1 involves division into 3 age groups, where size XS is a Frejka pillow for newborns and up to 6 months. S is designed for children from 6 months to one and a half years, and M is for children from one to two years.
If your child is slightly taller than his peers, it is better to choose an orthosis based on individual sizes. Keep in mind that this device is not purchased for growth. Adjustment to height is carried out thanks to adjustment belts.
Selection by maximum value when spreading the knees. Sizes range from 14 cm to 26 cm, and the choice of the required model is made by the attending physician based on measurements. It happens that physical parameters are disproportionate. In this case, the Frejka pillow is made to order. Treatment sometimes takes quite a long time, so it may be necessary to buy several sizes in a row.
The employees of the orthopedic salon where the Frejka pillow is sold will tell you how to choose the size.
How does a child behave in a Frejka pillow?
It is impossible to explain the need for treatment to babies, so be prepared that at first, being in a splint may cause anxiety to the child, since the new position is completely unusual for him. Literally after a couple of days, wearing this device stops bothering the child.
Some parents noted that the child did not express any dissatisfaction with the orthosis. Everything depends on the child's character. But still, you should not completely ignore tears - make sure once again that you put on the device correctly.
Parents worry about their baby's uncontrollable crying, believing that the Frejka pillow causes significant discomfort. However, the baby cries because of a new and unusual position. The baby's anxiety just needs to be endured.
Important! If the wearing regimen is violated, the treatment may be protracted or even ineffective, which in the future will lead to more serious problems and complex treatment.
The effectiveness of the treatment is achieved only with constant wearing of the splint. The recommended time is at least 18 hours a day. Please note that discomfort may be caused by heat, so it is better to wear light cotton pants while wearing the structure.
Important! It is not recommended to put the featherbed on your bare skin.
How much does a Frejka pillow cost?
In stores, the cost of an orthosis varies from 1,000 to 1,500 rubles.
The price may largely depend on the quality of the materials used in production. It is necessary to pay close attention to them in order to avoid unwanted allergic reactions.
Which is better - Pavlik stirrups or Frejka pillow?
Pavlik stirrups, like the Frejka pillow, were invented to treat identified disorders in the development of the hip joint.
The pillow-splint helps to maintain the legs in a bent position, but with the knees apart. Despite the fairly clear fixation of the legs, the lower part of the limbs is free and the baby can move and jerk them slightly.
Pavlik stirrups are a much more serious device and are used when an orthopedic doctor has diagnosed more radical deviations from developmental norms.
In this design, the legs are fixed quite rigidly, also maintaining the required angle of their spread.
How to make it yourself?
You can buy a pillow splint in almost any orthopedic salon, however, if you do not have this opportunity, you can sew a Frejka pillow yourself. To do this, you need to take measurements from the middle of the chest to the perineum, as well as the length from the dimple of the left knee to the dimple of the right knee through the perineum.
When drawing up a pattern, draw a rectangle whose length is twice the length from the chest to the crotch, and whose width is the actual distance between the knees.
The drawing must be transferred to the fabric in two copies. Fasten the elements, and 10 layers of lining must be placed inside. The structure must be sewn not only along the perimeter, but also stitched across, thereby giving rigidity to the linen fabric. Sew straps along the back of the pillow, and buttons on the chest.
Important! A homemade pillow cannot replace a splint from an orthopedic shop. The benefits of a homemade orthosis are highly questionable. So a homemade bandage can only be used for a limited time.
During the period of wearing the pillow, it is necessary to periodically visit an orthopedic doctor, who will conduct an ultrasound diagnosis in order to ensure the effectiveness of the chosen treatment method. Do not neglect his recommendations.
Additionally, parents can enroll their child in a course of therapeutic infant massage. Additional professional impact not only helps speed up the treatment, but also develops the baby's muscles. Don't worry - children wearing the Frejka pillow are not at all behind their peers in terms of activity and development.
A timely diagnosed deviation, timely prescribed treatment, as well as compliance with all doctor's recommendations by parents give a practically 100 percent result. It is necessary to remember that a positive attitude of mom and dad will give strength and patience to the little one to go through a difficult and incomprehensible path for them.
