Hip Disorders
Developmental dysplasia of Hip
Developmental dysplasia of the hip is a congenital (present at birth) condition of
the hip joint. It occurs once in every 1,000 live births. The hip joint is created as a
ball and socket joint. In DDH, the hip socket may be shallow, letting the "ball" of
the long leg bone, also known as the femoral head, slip in and out of the socket.
The "ball" may move partially or completely out of the hip socket.
Causes:
- The factors are usually both genetic and environmental.
Symptoms:
- The leg may appear shorter on the side of the dislocated hip
- The leg on the side of the dislocated hip may turn outward
- The folds in the skin of the thigh or buttocks may appear uneven
- The space between the legs may look wider than normal.
Treatment:
Nonsurgical positioning device or placement of a Pavlik harness:
The Pavlik harness is used on babies up to 6 months of age to hold the hip in
place, while allowing the legs to move a little.
Your baby is seen frequently during this time so that the harness may be checked
for proper fit and to examine the hip. At the end of this treatment, X-rays (or an
ultrasound) are used to check hip placement.
Casting:
If the hip continues to be partially or completely dislocated, casting, or surgery
may be required.
Surgery:
If the other methods are not successful, or if DDH is diagnosed at age 6 months
to 2 years, surgery may be required to put the hip back into place manually, also
known as a "closed reduction." Children older than 2 years may require an "open
surgery" to realign the hip, followed by spica cast.
