7/27/2019 Dysplasia Hip Facts

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This fact sheet has been developed by The Royal Childrens Hospital. The informationcontained in this fact sheet is intended to assist, not replace, discussion with your doctor

or health care professional. The Royal Childrens Hospital and the Victorian Paediatric

Orthopaedic Network do not accept any responsibility, and will not be liable for, any

inaccuracies, omissions, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment

regimen detailed in the fact sheet. Fact sheets may not be reproduced without permission.

2010 The Royal Childrens Hospital (RCH), Victoria, Australia.

Last updated October 2011. ERC 100373

Orthopaedic fact sheet

Developmental dysplasiaof the hip (DDH)

Developmental dysplasia o the hip (DDH) is acondition that aects the hip joint in babies and youngchildren. The hip is a ball-and-socket type joint, ormedby the round head o emur and a cup-shaped socket

(acetabulum) (Figure 1). The normal inant hip is notmature at birth but develops into a strong and stablejoint as the child grows. In DDH the hip does notdevelop normally.

DDH can vary rom mild to severe. The socket maybe shallow, and the structures that support the head

o emur may be lax (Figure 2). This may allow the head

o emur to be unstable. In more severe cases, the heado emur may lose contact with the socket. This is

known as a dislocated hip (Figure 3), and is believed tooccur in around one in 1000 inants.

Inants with DDH are not always born with thecondition. It may develop in the weeks or months aterbirth. One or both hips can be aected. DDH is notpainul in babies and young children; however, untreatedDDH can result in hip pain and early development oosteoarthritis.

DDH is more likely to occur in girls, i there is a amilyhistory o DDH, in a frst pregnancy, i the baby isbreech, and in twins.

Signs o DDH may include stiness o the hip, unevenpositioning o the legs, one leg appearing shorter thanthe other, and uneven thigh or buttock creases.Sometimes the signs are hard to see, even by a doctor.

A hip ultrasound is used to confrm DDH in babiesunder six months old. Ater six months a hip x-rayis more useul.

Treatment depends on the childs age and the severityo the condition. Young babies with DDH are usuallytreated in an abduction brace, which holds the legsapart. This helps the socket to deepen and the hipto become stable with growth.

Early diagnosis and treatment is best, since latediagnosis oten requires surgical treatment and canmean a higher likelihood o ongoing hip problems.

Figure 2. Developmental dysplasia o the hip with unstable head o emur

Figure 3. Developmental dysplasia o the hip with dislocated head o emur

Figure 1. The normal inant hip

Head

o emur

Socket