What is hip dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia, also known as developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and acetabular dysplasia, is a condition where the hip socket doesn’t fully cover the ball of the femur, causing the hip to partially or completely dislocate. This poor fit (or incongruency) can also lead to premature damage to the cartilage, pain, instability and stiffness.
Hip dysplasia can be present at birth or develop throughout childhood and adolescence. Hip dysplasia is a relatively common condition, affecting about 1 in every 1,000 infants born in the US each year, and is more common in girls. The good news is most babies have no long-term complications if their hip dysplasia is treated when they’re younger than 6 months. Sometimes, older children and adults can develop hip dysplasia, with symptoms such as pain or instability occurring later in life.
Hip dysplasia symptoms
Symptoms of hip dysplasia differ by age. In infants, one leg may appear longer than the other, or a limp may develop once the child starts walking. One hip may also feel less flexible during diaper changes. In teenagers and young adults, hip dysplasia can lead to pain, limping, giving way or clicking. Further development of arthritis or a labral tear can cause groin pain during activity and a feeling of hip instability.
When to see a doctor
All infants are screened for DDH, but parents should discuss symptoms with their baby’s pediatrician at a well-baby checkup.
You should also visit a doctor promptly if symptoms of hip dysplasia cause:
- Limited ability to move a joint or bear weight on a leg
- Severe hip pain that doesn’t improve after a few days
- Visible changes or deformity to the structure of the hip joint
- Any new onset of a limp, hip pain, or feelings of instability in a child or adolescent
What causes hip dysplasia?
The exact causes of hip dysplasia aren’t clear. There are genetic factors, environmental factors, and developmental reasons that can increase the risk.
If the ball of the developing femur isn’t positioned firmly into the hip socket, the socket will not completely form around it. Instead, the socket will become too shallow to fully support the femoral head. As the fetus grows larger and more tightly positioned in the uterus before birth, the shallow hip socket can force the femoral head out of position.
Locations
We offer several locations for your care, including orthopedic specialty centers in North and Central Texas.
