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Pavlik Harness

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19 views6 pages

Pavlik Harness

Uploaded by

benjamin espinoza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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STARSHIP CHILD HEALTH

FAMILY INFORMATION FACTSHEET

Pavlik Harness
What is a Pavlik Harness?
A Pavlik Harness is a lightweight soft fabric brace used for babies
with a hip disorder or femur fracture. The harness has a chest strap,
two shoulder straps and leg straps which attach to little stirrups/
booties to keep the hips and knees bent with the legs apart. This
position helps the bones or joints to heal and develop normally.

shoulder
straps

chest strap

leg straps

stirrups

Wearing the Pavlik Harness


Your orthopaedic doctor, nurse specialist or clinic nurse will apply the
harness and teach you how to open and close the shoulder, chest and
leg straps.
The straps will be marked to keep them in correct positions.
Adjustments are made as needed at follow-up appointments.
Do not adjust the straps without advice from your doctor or nurse
specialist.
Your doctor will tell you if you may remove the harness. Do not take
the harness off unless your doctor tells you may remove it.
How long your baby will have to wear the harness depends on
severity of your baby’s hip condition or fracture. To treat hip
condition, your baby is likely to wear the harness for 12 weeks.
Care at home
The chest strap should be firm, but you should be able to fit two to
three fingers underneath it. If the chest strap looks tight after your
baby eats, you can loosen it a bit. Make it snug again when the chest
strap no longer seems tight.
The leg straps should be firm enough to hold your baby’s feet, but not
too tight. You should be able to fit one finger underneath each strap.
It can take a few days for you baby to get used to the harness. Your
baby may seem unsettled and cry a bit, but this should settle within a
couple of days.

Nappies and clothing


Loose fitting clothing using stretchy material and larger sizes can be
worn over the Pavlik harness, don’t use clothing that brings baby’s
knees together. Socks can be worn over the stirrups/booties, toddler
size socks usually fit well over the legs.
If you are swaddling your baby, do not swaddle your baby’s legs.
To change a nappy, lift your baby from under the buttocks or thighs
and slide the nappy under. Avoid pulling up the legs. Place nappy
under the straps to keep the harness clean and to keep the legs in
correct position.

Bathing/Skin care
Check your baby’s skin every day. Give your baby a sponge bath with
the harness in place and take care to clean baby’s skin creases and
take note of any redness or skin irritation. When sponge bathing,
open one strap at a time.
It is best not to use powders or creams under the harness. You can
continue using your usual nappy cream and lotions on other skin
areas.

Out and about


Your baby should fit to the usual car seat and buggy without any
problems. Occupational therapist review can be arranged if required.
Long journeys are not recommended.
Sleeping
Your baby will need to sleep on their back in the harness. If you are
using a baby sleeping bag, you may need bag in a larger size to fit
comfortably over the harness.

Feeding
If you are breastfeeding, you will be able to continue while your
baby is using Pavlik harness. You may need to try different positions
until you will find a way which is comfortable for you both. You could
try curling up next to your baby, under arm “rugby hold” or using a
breastfeeding pillow to support your baby.
Feeding may take bit longer than usual and your baby may need to
wind more frequently.

Positioning
Supervised tummy time is important even when your baby is wearing
Pavlik harness. Tummy time decreases the risk of developing flat spot
on baby’s head, promote body stability, limb co-ordination and head
control. A rolled up towel or small pillow can be used to support your
child’s legs and/or under their chest.

Potential problems
Femoral nerve palsy is a very rare problem that can happen using a
harness. If your baby stops kicking, contact your nurse specialist or
orthopaedic outpatient clinic as soon as possible.
Follow up
Your baby will have regular follow-up appointments with your
orthopaedic doctor to monitor the progress and adjust the harness
as required. Your baby may need ultrasound scans (USS) or x-rays
during the visits.

Contact hospital if:


• Your baby stops kicking.
• Your baby’s feet are swollen or puffy, even after loosening the leg
straps.
• The harness seems too small or is not keeping the legs apart and
knees bent.
• You notice any skin irritation, redness or rash.
If you have any concerns please contact us

Your Nurse
Specialist:

Clinic Hours (8.30am–5.00pm) After Clinic Hours


Please call and leave a message Please visit:
for the Paediatric Orthopaedic Starship Childrens Emergency
Outpatient Clinic Nurses on: Department, Level 2
(09) 307 4949 ext 22537 Starship Childrens Hospital

For more information, visit us online at starship.org.nz/videolink


CC7201

Date Issued: Updated March 2021 Copyright 2021. Starship Child Health. All Rights Reserved.

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