Ana Stutzman had not seen her family in Mexico for a year, and she was excited to visit them in December 2019 with her husband, Doug, and their then 18-month-old daughter, Jacqueline (Jackie). Unfortunately, during the trip, excitement turned to anxiety and confusion. “Jackie was just learning how to walk, and she was limping,” says Ana. They got an appointment with a specialist, who diagnosed Jackie with hip dysplasia and said surgery was needed immediately. “Everything was going so fast,” says Ana. “It was so alarming.”

Now, at 8 years old, Jackie is a bubbly, friendly kid who loves playing with her sister, fishing in the creek and playing tennis, thanks to ongoing treatment for hip dysplasia here at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

Finding reassurance and expert care at CHOP

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH or hip dysplasia) is the term for a hip socket that doesn't fully cover the ball portion of the thigh bone, causing the hip joint to become partially or completely dislocated. The Stutzmans decided not to make any rash decisions during their trip. When they returned to their home in Robesonia, Pa., Jackie’s pediatrician referred the family to CHOP.

At their first appointment, Ana and Doug found reassurance. They were seen by John M. Flynn, MD, Chief of the Orthopedic Center and a nationally recognized leader in the field of pediatric orthopedic surgery, and Theresa C. McIntosh, MSN, CRNP, a nurse practitioner and advanced practice provider. “We had a whole list of questions,” says Ana. “They answered everything for us. They explained to us what would happen.”

On the day of the surgery, “Everyone was so nice and helpful,” says Ana. Adds Doug: “They couldn’t have treated us any better.” Throughout everything, Jackie was a trooper, and her recovery went smoothly.

Afterwards Jackie was seen by Dr. Flynn every few months to check her progress, and the Stutzmans love how convenient CHOP’s King of Prussia campus is for them to access. Robesonia is 70 miles northwest of Philadelphia, so they drove through King of Prussia to get to CHOP’s Main Campus on the day of Jackie's first surgery. The King of Prussia campus gives families like theirs easier access to CHOP’s world-class experts from the Orthopedic Center, which is regularly ranked among the top pediatric orthopedic programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Seven months after Jackie’s surgery, Ana was excited to report, “She’s walking and running – you can’t stop her!”

Ongoing care for a complex hip condition

Years after her first successful surgery, Jackie’s care journey at CHOP continued. She returned regularly for follow-up visits so her care team could monitor how her hip was developing. Eventually she had only yearly check-ins with her orthopedic team, including Dr. Flynn as well as Wudbhav N. Sankar, MD, Director of the Young Adult Hip Preservation Program and head of the Hip Disorders Program at CHOP. 

Over time, Jackie’s mom started to notice subtle changes. Jackie’s legs would get tired and sore, and at times, she would walk with a slight limp. Like many children with complex hip conditions, Jackie had adapted how she moved, compensating in ways that became more noticeable as she grew. 

Those changes led to an important realization: Jackie would need another surgery to help correct how her hip was developing.

For her parents, hearing that their daughter needed a second operation years later was difficult. Her family shared that the hardest part was that Jackie was now old enough to understand what was happening. Unlike her first surgery as a toddler, this time Jackie could process everything — from what the procedure meant to how it might affect her daily life. 

Ana says, “She has developed a bond with her care team. Meg (CHOP’s dedicated hip dysplasia nurse, Meg Morro, BSN, RN) reaches out about Jackie's care all the time. Meg, Dr. Flynn and Dr. Sankar are very patient and always give Jackie time to ask questions. It doesn't feel like they are doing it because they have to – you can really see that they care.” 

Through it all, the family leaned on the CHOP team they have come to trust, with the doctors helping Jackie understand every step in a way that made her feel included and supported.

In September 2025, at seven years old, Jackie underwent a second surgery with Dr. Sankar to address the way her hip had grown, along with an additional adjustment to her tibia. The procedure was complex and lasted about five hours.

Recovery, resilience and small milestones

Recovery required determination. Jackie spent eight weeks in a brace and worked hard in physical therapy twice a week, while also completing exercises at home. 

Jackie had trouble sleeping during the early days of her recovery and missed some of her favorite activities, like swimming in the pool and playing in the creek. While there were moments that felt especially challenging, there were also meaningful ones — like visits from friends and teachers who came to support her. 

She’ll soon need another procedure to remove the screws placed during her tibia adjustment, and that will require an additional two weeks of recovery time.

Moving forward with strength and support

Today, Jackie is thriving. Her family describes her as full of energy. “She’s always looking for adventure,” they say.

She is running, playing and even excelling in tennis. Her parents say one of the biggest milestones has been watching her try things she was once hesitant to do. Whether climbing on playground equipment or tackling new challenges, Jackie is building both strength and confidence. Sports and activity help keep up her hip mobility. 

While her journey isn’t over — and will likely include ongoing care as she continues to grow — Jackie’s story reflects what long-term success can look like for children with complex hip disorders. It’s not always a straight path, but with the right team and support here at CHOP, she continues to progress.

For her parents, the support at CHOP has made all the difference. Doug, says, “We are nervous wrecks whenever she goes in for surgery, but we sleep better knowing we have this team that’s world class that has been there for us every step of the way.”

Ana wants other parents facing a hip dysplasia diagnosis to know, “The reality of living with this is very different from the clinical information you’ll get from your doctors. Try and find local community support and check out groups on Facebook where other parents are sharing info and resources.” 

And as Jackie looks ahead, her future is filled with possibilities. She dreams big — from becoming a veterinarian or doctor to help others — and her family is focused on helping her pursue whatever path makes her happy.