Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), formerly known as congenital dislocation of the hip, occurs in babies at birth or it can develop in the early months of life. The hip socket may be shallow or loose and this could lead to the hip popping out of the joint causing a dislocated hip.

There are a number of causes for hip dysplasia, however it is important to remember that in most cases there is very little to prevent DDH from occurring in your baby. The most common reason for infants to develop hip dysplasia is from being born breech. Family history also increases the risk of DDH. There are documented cases of babies developing hip dysplasia from their legs being swaddled too tightly. See our post on Swaddling Tips for information about wrapping your baby.

Statistics show that girls develop hip dysplasia four times more often than boys do. It is also more likely to occur in first born children. There are varying degrees of DDH from mild cases that normally only affect one hip; or severe cases where both hips are affected. DDH is not painful for infants or young children.

Diagnosing Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Babies have their hips checked for problems by medical staff at birth. They are also checked again by community health nurses at each health assessment until the age of one. During the check, they will feel for a “clunking” in the hip. If the hip “clunks” but is able to move normally, it is likely that the ligaments in the hip joint have stretched. In these instances it is simply a case of carefully monitoring the hip joint over a period of time. If the hip “clunks” and is not able to move freely or normally, it is likely there will be a diagnosis of DDH.

What to Look For in Hip Dysplasia

Although majority of cases are identified by health staff, check tests are not always reliable and some cases may be overlooked. There are a few signs and symptoms to look for however sometimes these are hard to see, even by trained medical staff. For the best results, hip dysplasia should be treated early. If you notice any of the following signs in your child, please seek medical advice as soon as possible.

When changing your child’s nappy, you notice their hip joint is stiff
Your child’s legs are noticeably different in length
They favour one side and tend to lean in that direction
Their leg or legs turn outwards
The skin folds on their bottom are not even

Treatment for Hip Dysplasia

With early intervention, DDH can be successfully treated by wearing a splint. The splint causes the hips to sit in the correct position which allows the ligaments time to tighten in the joint. It may be necessary for your baby to wear the splint for a number of months, until the hip joint is stable.

If wearing a splint has not been successful or if your child has a late diagnosis, it may be necessary for them to undergo surgery to place the hip joint into the correct position. After surgery, it is necessary they wear a plaster cast that covers from the knees to the waist. This is called a hip spica and normally needs to be worn for a number of months after the surgery.

As with any issue when it comes to your baby, if you have an instinct that something is wrong, always persist with your doctor or health professional.

If you become concerned about any symptoms please seek immediate medical attention we have some hotlines and suggested websites for further information and advice https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/important-hotlines-websites/

SAHM takes no responsibility for any illness, injury or death caused by misuse of this information. All information provided is correct at time of publication.

Sources

http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/hip_dysplasia.html

http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Developmental_dysplasia_of_the_hip_DDH_treatment_and_hospital_stay/

http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Hip_spica_plaster_2_Care_at_home/

http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Hip_spica_plaster_1_What_to_expect_in_hospital/