Feedback
We appreciate and encourage feedback. If you need advice or
are concerned about any aspect of your care or treatment
please speak to a member of staff or contact the Patient Advice
and Liaison Service (PALS):
Freephone: 0800 183 0204
From a mobile or abroad: 0115 924 9924 ext 65412 or 62301
Minicom: 0800 183 0204
E-mail: [email protected]
Letter: NUH NHS Trust, c/o PALS, Freepost NEA 14614,
Nottingham NG7 1BR
www.nuh.nhs.uk
If you require a full list of references for this leaflet please email
[email protected] or phone 0115 924 9924
ext. 67754.
The Trust endeavours to ensure that the information given here
is accurate and impartial.
Rebecca McNally, Children’s Occupational Therapy © January 2015. All rights reserved.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Review January 2017
Ref: 0619/v3/0115/AM.
Daily living following
application of a
hip spica cast
Information for parents/carers
Children’s Occupational Therapy
This document can be provided in different languages and
formats. For more information please contact:
Nottingham Children’s Hospital
Queen’s Medical Centre, D Floor, East Block
Tel: 0115 9249924 ext: 64982
Public information
Aim of the leaflet
This leaflet is aimed at the parents and carers of children who
may require application of a hip spica cast. It aims to tell you
what a hip spica cast is, and how to manage aspects of daily
living with your child after application of the cast.
What is a hip spica cast?
A hip spica is a plaster cast which extends from the ribs to the
toes, either down both legs or just to the knee on one side. This
will be determined by the consultant caring for your child and will
depend on whether one or both hips are affected.
A hip spica is used to treat hip and thigh problems, usually in
young children. The cast stops the hip joint moving to maintain
position of a treated/relocated hip.
How will I wash my child?
As the plaster should not get wet, we advise you to give your
child a strip wash instead of bathing. This could be done lying on
a bed and using a wet flannel and soap. Hair could be washed
over a sink or bowl, or if your child has very short hair you could
use a flannel or wet wipe.
How do I move my child?
The added weight of the plaster can make your child harder to
move and position. Your occupational therapist will demonstrate
the most appropriate method of moving your child safely. You
must not lift your child by holding them under their arms.
Contact us
If you have any further concerns about how to manage your child at
home please contact us:
Your occupational therapist is …………………………...………..…
Children’s Occupational Therapy,
D Floor, East Block,
Queen’s Medical Centre,
Derby Road,
Nottingham,
NG7 2UH
Tel: 0115 9249924 ext: 64982 - secure answering facility
Useful contacts
Steps
‘Steps’ is a charity we recommend which may be able to provide you
with useful information:
Website: www.steps-charity.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 08717 170 044
In Car Safety - Milton Keynes
Telephone: 01908 220 909
Address: Erica Road, Stacey Bushes, Milton Keynes,
Buckinghamshire MK12 6HS
For older children a hoist may be required, depending on their
weight. All the required equipment and training will be provided
by your occupational therapist.
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The equipment we are able to loan is as follows:
Portable hip spica chair, suitable for children
aged approximately 12 months to 3 years.
How will my child go to the toilet?
A hole is cut out of the cast for toileting. A double nappy
technique is used for younger children which the nursing staff
will demonstrate after the operation. Older children are still able
to access the toilet whilst in their cast and your occupational
therapist can discuss the best way of doing this with you.
What clothes can my child wear?
Bambeano beanbag, suitable from
birth to 6 months old.
Larger sizes of clothes are usually required. If this isn’t suitable,
clothes can be split and then applied using Velcro or zips. There are
companies on the internet which offer clothing ranges especially
designed for children with hip spica.
How will I play with my child?
Doo Moo beanbag, suitable from birth to
30kg.
Play and activity should be encouraged. Your child could sit on a
bean bag or on the floor. Special equipment such as tables and
seats will be discussed during the assessment with your
occupational therapist.
How will I transport my child in the car?
Britax Nexus Elite, suitable from birth to
approximately 4 years - maximum 15kg.
Children in hip spica casts should be in car seats which face
backwards and which are suitable for both the weight of
themselves and the cast.
The application of a hip spica cast may mean that your child no
longer fits into their car seat. If your child uses a car seat we ask
that you bring this in with you for your occupational therapist to
assess.
Special Tomato, a larger pushchair which is
suitable from infancy up to 41kg.
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After assessment, if your child’s car
seat is unsuitable, you could consider
hiring a Britax Nordic Two-way Elite.
How can I position my child?
The Occupational Therapy
department has purchased a number
of these specialist car seats and they
can be hired directly from Milton
Keynes In-Car Safety Centre at the
greatly reduced cost of £75.00.
If you have a buggy we ask that you bring it into hospital on
admission to assess whether your child will fit into it after
surgery. There are occasions when their buggy may not be
suitable. If this is the case, your occupational therapist will
assess and issue a suitable buggy for discharge.
This seat has been found to fit in most cars and is usually
suitable for children in hip spica casts that weigh between 9 and
25kgs. Your occupational therapist will be able to provide further
information and explain the ordering procedure.
STEPS charity working with Maxi-Cosi have
adapted their Opal car seat for children in a
hip spica cast and are also offering a loan
scheme. Please contact STEPS directly for
further information (see back of this leaflet
for contact details).
After the operation a member of the Occupational Therapy team
will give you advice on how to position your child safely.
The plaster of the hip spica usually finishes above waist level,
which means your child may not be able to sit in their normal
chair. We advise that they sit on a bean bag, as you can move
the beans around to get your child in a good, supportive sitting
position. Please DO NOT leave your child unsupervised in the
bean bag or use it for sleeping.
It is also advisable that the head of your child’s cot is slightly
raised to help with urine drainage into the inner nappy. This can
be easily achieved by placing a pillow underneath the mattress.
Do I need to buy anything?
If a suitable car seat is not available for
discharge then you will need to travel home
in a taxi as it is illegal to transport a child
without a car seat in a personal car.
You should not buy any equipment before the operation as children do
not always go into a cast and if they do have a cast we will not know
their exact position until they return from theatre. After the operation
we will talk to you about suitable equipment which you may want to
loan or buy.
Will I be entitled to a blue badge?
What equipment is available?
Children in hip spica casts may be entitled to apply for a blue
badge depending on their age. To find out about applying for a
blue badge visit www.direct.gov.uk or contact your local
council for details.
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The Children’s Occupational Therapy department has a limited
stock of equipment that your child can loan free of charge.
Provision of this equipment can not be guaranteed. Your
therapist will be able to provide up-to-date stock details during
your child’s pre operative assessment.
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