Description

Hip dysplasia is the medical term for a hip socket that does not fully cover the ball portion of the upper part of the thigh bone. This allows the hip joint to become partially or completely dislocated. Most people with hip dysplasia are born with the condition.

Health professionals will check your baby for signs of hip dysplasia shortly after birth and during routine visits. If hip dysplasia is diagnosed in early infancy, a soft brace can usually correct the problem.

Mild hip dysplasia might not start to cause symptoms until a person is a teenager or young adult. Hip dysplasia can cause damage to the cartilage lining of the joint. It can also damage the soft cartilage, called the labrum, the edge of the socket portion of the hip joint. This is called a labral tear of the hip.

In older children and young adults, surgery may be needed to move the bones in the correct position to soften the movement of the joint.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary by age group. In babies, it is possible to notice that one leg is longer than the other. Once the child begins to walk, limping may develop. During diaper changes, one hip may be less flexible than the other.

In adolescents and young adults, the developmental dysplasia of the hip may cause severe complications, such as osteoarthritis or a tear in the labrum of the hip. This can cause the activity-related groin pain. Sometimes, there may be a feeling of instability in the hip.

Causes

At birth, the hip joint is made of soft cartilage, which gradually hardens into bone. The ball and socket of the need to fit together well because they act as moulds for each other. If the ball is not seated firmly in the socket, the socket is not formed around the ball and it will become very shallow.

During the last month before the birth, the space within the matrix can become so crowded that the ball of the hip joint is moved out of its correct position. This results in a lower socket. The factors that can reduce the amount of space in the uterus include:

  • First pregnancy.
  • Big baby.
  • Breech presentation.

Risk factors

Hip dysplasia tends to run in families and is more common in girls. The risk of hip dysplasia is also higher in infants born in the breech position and the babies are wrapped firmly with the hips and knees straight.

Complications

Later in life, hip dysplasia can damage the soft cartilage, called the labrum, the edge of the socket portion of the hip joint. This is called a labral tear of the hip. Hip dysplasia can also make the joint more likely to develop osteoarthritis. This happens due to the increased contact pressure on a smaller area of the outlet. Over time, this wears down the smooth cartilage on the bones which help them to glide against each other as the joint moves.

Diagnosis

During routine visits, the health professionals usually check for developmental dysplasia of the hip by moving a baby's legs in a variety of positions that help to indicate if the hip joint fits well. If hip dysplasia is suspected, an ultrasound of the hip may be ordered to check the hip joint for signs of dysplasia.

Mild cases of hip dysplasia can be difficult to diagnose and may not start causing problems until it is a young adult. If your health care team suspected developmental dysplasia of the hip, which may suggest imaging tests, such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treatment

Hip dysplasia treatment depends on the age of the affected person and the extent of the hip injury. The babies are usually treated with a soft key, as a Pavlik harness, which contains the ball portion of the joint firmly in the socket during several months. This helps ensure that the socket mold to the shape of the ball.

The key does not work so well for babies 6 months and older. Instead, the health professional can move the bones in the correct position, and then hold for several months with a cast on the body. Sometimes surgery is needed to fit the joint together correctly.

If the dysplasia is more severe, the position of the hip socket it can also correct. In a periacetabular (per-e-as-uh-TAB-yoo-lur) osteotomy, the socket is put back in the pelvis so that it corresponds better with the ball.

Hip replacement surgery may be an option for older people whose dysplasia has severely damaged their hips over time, resulting in a debilitating arthritis.

Preparing for your appointment

Probably your first concern to your family health care provider. It could refer to an orthopaedic surgeon.

What you can do

Before your appointment, you may want to:

  • Write down all the signs and symptoms that you or your child is experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you or your child are taking.
  • Consider the possibility of a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • To request that a copy of previous medical records are forwarded to your provider, if you are going to change the care teams.
  • Write questions for the health care team.

His time with the health professional is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of their time together. Some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • What kind of proof do you need? Do these tests require any special preparation?
  • What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
  • What are the possible side effects of treatment?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take my house?
  • Can you recommend any web site for more information on hip dysplasia?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your health care team, do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time if you do not understand something.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask a series of questions. Be ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:

  • When you or your child begin to experience the symptoms?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • Nothing seems to improve the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • If you or your child has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia, when and where is the diagnosis made?
Symptoms and treatment of developmental dysplasia of the Hip