What is a hip spica cast?
A hip spica cast is a special type of cast that helps keep the hip joint in place following surgery for developmental dysplasia of the hip.
What is a DF2 brace?
A DF2 brace is placed after a thigh bone (femur) fracture to help support proper healing. It allows for more flexibility and movement than traditional casts.
Transportation home with a cast or brace
Having a cast or brace may make it difficult for your child to fit safely in their car seat. There are many accommodations to safely transport your child in a cast or brace. The safest restraint system for your child will depend on a few factors, including your child’s age and weight, how wide apart your child’s legs are set in the cast or brace, and how much of the cast or brace bends at the knee.
You may be able to continue to use your child’s current car seat if your child can still fit in it properly. If the brace or cast prevents your child from fitting into the seat properly, you may instead need a new conventional car seat with low sides and longer crotch straps to allow space for the cast or brace. If you are using a conventional car seat, your child’s back and bottom should make contact with the back and bottom of the car seat with no gaps. The harness straps should fit over the cast or brace. You may need to turn your child forward facing, if they are big enough, to have more room for the leg to extend. You may need to move the vehicle seat in front of the car seat forward to provide more room for the leg. If it is possible to keep your child rear-facing, it is recommended to do so. More information on proper car seat safety can be found in the car seat safety article.
An adaptive car seat may be needed if your child cannot safely fit into a conventional car seat. You will be responsible for arranging safe transportation home for your child.
Options for conventional low-profile car seats for children under 2 years old or under 9 kilograms (kg)
All-in-one convertible car seat
$350 to $450
4-in-1 convertible car seats
$300 to $400
*If you are purchasing a new car seat, please note that the seat will not be assessed for suitability until after surgery or brace application. It is advised to confirm the vendor’s refund policy as your child may not fit safely in the car seat, and alternative transportation will need to be arranged.
Rental options
Spirit Spica rental (for children greater than 11.3 kg or 25 pounds (lb))
Specifications
- Weight capacity: 11.3 kg to 59 kg (25 lb to 130 lb)
- Height capacity: up to 167.6 centimetres (cm) or 66 inches (in)
- Back height: 71 cm or 28 in
- Seat depth: 30.5 cm or 12 in
- Overall width: 54.6 cm or 21.5 in
Features
- The Spirit Spica includes positioning wedges for multiple seating configurations and optional seat depth extenders and back cushions.
The Wallenberg (for children weighing 2.3 kg to 36 kg (5 lb to 80 lb)
Specifications
- Weight capacity: 2.3 kg to 36 kg (5 lb to 80 lb)
- Height capacity: up to 152.4 cm or 60 in
- Seat width: 43.2 cm or 17 in
Features
- Two hammock positions are available to accommodate casted hip or leg brace angles.
- Rear-facing base comes standard.
- Headrest comes standard.
How to rent the Spirit Spica or Wallenberg
Monthly rental programs are available for a low and wide side-profile car seat, designed to accommodate a spica cast. Below are a couple of rental options. You will need a prescription from your child’s health-care provider to rent one of these car seats.
- National Seating & Mobility
4279 Steeles Ave West
Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 5 pm - Medics Mobility
www.medicsmobility.ca
Options for children over 1 year old and greater than 10 kg (22 lb)
EZ-On vest
According to Transport Canada, a modified safety vest may be suitable for your child if they must be transported lying down and meet the recommended weight and height requirement of the vest.
The EZ-On vest is designed for children who are 1 to 12 years old and 10 kg (22 lb) to 45 kg (99 lb). It must be used on a bench seat in a vehicle that has space for your child to lie across the seat.
The cost of the vest starts at $260 and must be paid by credit card. If you have insurance coverage, your child’s health-care provider can provide you with a prescription for reimbursement purposes.
Other modes of transport for children with a hip spica or a leg brace
- Taxi
- Private ambulance
- Public transport (e.g., TTC, buses, Go Train)
These types of transport are exempt from the regulatory requirement for a car seat per the Ministry of Transportation. These do not include ride sharing, such as Uber.
Parents or caregivers may arrange for a private ambulance to safely transport children who cannot use any of the car restraints listed. This cost is not covered by OHIP. However, it is covered by many private health insurance plans. Please check your plan first to see what will be covered and what documentation you will need to provide to get reimbursed. Transportation will also be required for all follow-up appointments to the Orthopaedic Clinic if car restraints, such as a car seat or EZ-On vest, are still unusable at follow-up.
If you require financial assistance, please let your child’s nurse know, and a referral for inpatient social work can be placed for your child. Please note that patient amenities funding is based on gross household income.