Ossification

Ossification.  It's a lovely word to say, sort of rolls around your mouth and falls beautifully off your tongue.  Ossification.  It's a funny word to say too.  I keep wanting to tell a corny "No I haven't been drinking Ossifer" kind of joke.  Ossification.  This week it is my favourite word in the world. 

Wikipedia - Ossification (or osteogenesis) is the process of laying down new bone material by cells called osteoblasts. It is synonymous with bone tissue formation.

This is what it looks like:

You can see Boo's left side is shaped differently.  The socket is steeper and the ball is smaller.  Compared to previous pictures, the ball is huge.  This is ossification.

Over the last six months I've been watching our Boo running, climbing, jumping and dancing.  I've watched all of this wondering at each movement if her hip was still in place, watching for a sign that would confirm things either way for us.  Three months ago we saw Mr T and he was not happy with Boo's x-ray and another surgery was on the cards, but he wanted to wait to see what might happen - he mentioned something about miracles sometimes happening - yeah right.

Last week Boo had her nine month post op check, and I was made to take back all my cynicisim.  Miracles do happen.  Boo has ossification happening in her hip!  Go Boo my amazing little bone grower! 

What it means is that we've got a reprieve of 12 months before a final decision is made on further surgery.  Further surgery means an osteotomy - reshaping the pelvic bone using screws and plates, followed by another six week stint in a spica.  It could go either way but at least we have a great 12 months in front of us.  Roll on summer  - swimming at the beach, chasing kites at the park and riding bikes along the coast.