What causes hip dysplasia?

What causes hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia can develop if the baby’s position in the womb puts pressure on the hips. It can also be genetic (passed down in families). When people are born with this condition, it is called developmental dysplasia of the hip or congenital hip dislocation.

Why is it called hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia in babies, also known as developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), occurs when a baby’s hip socket (acetabulum) is too shallow to cover the head of the thighbone (femoral head) to fit properly.

What is hip dysplasia in a baby?

A hip problem in infants is known as developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). It is when the ball of the hip joint isn’t formed properly and does not fit well in the socket. Often, this means that the hip joint is loose and prone to injury. DDH can lead to dislocation of the hip or other health issues.

How do you know you have hip dysplasia?

Two tests help doctors check for DDH:

1. An ultrasound uses sound waves to make pictures of the baby’s hip joint. This works best with babies under 6 months of age.
2. An X-ray works best in babies older than 4–6 months. At that age, their bones have formed enough to see them on an X-ray.

Does hip dysplasia require surgery?

When hip dysplasia is diagnosed in adults, surgery may be required to prevent further damage to the hip joint. If an adequate amount of cartilage still exists between the ball and socket, realignment surgery on the existing joint often is recommended to fix the problem.

What makes hip dysplasia worse in babies?

Hip dysplasia can also be caused or made worse in babies by wrapping, swaddling or carrying techniques that pull the legs down or leave the legs hanging, causing strain on the hip joint.

Can hip dysplasia be fixed in babies?

Hip dysplasia treatment depends on the age of the affected person and the extent of the hip damage. Infants are usually treated with a soft brace, such as a Pavlik harness, that holds the ball portion of the joint firmly in its socket for several months.

Can hip dysplasia be cured?

Because the condition is inherited, there’s no cure for hip dysplasia.

What is the best treatment for hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is often corrected by surgery. If hip dysplasia goes untreated, arthritis is likely to develop. Symptomatic hip dysplasia is likely to continue to cause symptoms until the deformity is surgically corrected. Many patients benefit from a procedure called periacetabular osteotomy or PAO.

Is hip dysplasia a birth defect?

Most people with hip dysplasia are born with the condition. Doctors will check your baby for signs of hip dysplasia shortly after birth and during well-baby visits. If hip dysplasia is diagnosed in early infancy, a soft brace can usually correct the problem.

Is hip dysplasia serious?

Hip dysplasia is a treatable condition. However, if left untreated, it can cause irreversible damage that will cause pain and loss of function later in life. It is the leading cause of early arthritis of the hip before the age of 60. The severity of the condition and catching it late increase the risk of arthritis.