Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Hip dysplasia is a condition that occurs when the hip socket (acetabulum) is too shallow to fully support the ball of the hip joint, called the femoral head. This typically affects a developing fetus, a condition called congenital hip dysplasia or developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). However, symptoms can appear during adolescence or even in adulthood.
This article discusses hip dysplasia—what it is, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, treatment options, and how to live well with it.
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Types of Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia Symptoms
Symptoms of hip dysplasia in babies can include:
Sometimes, symptoms of hip dysplasia are not obvious until a child starts walking. Symptoms can then include:
Early on, hip dysplasia is not a painful condition. However, if it is not corrected, it can cause damage to structures in the hip joint, such as the cartilage that provides padding between the bones or cartilage around the edge of the socket (the labrum).
The primary symptom of hip dysplasia during the adolescent years or early adulthood ispain.This pain usually occurs in the groin area or outer hip and worsens with activity. The affected hip might also feel like it locks up, catches, or pops.
How to Relieve Hip Pain
Causes of Hip Dysplasia
The exact cause of hip dysplasia isn’t known. But, contributing factors increase the risk of developing this condition. These include:
Newborns are typically screened for hip dysplasia soon after delivery using the Barlow and Ortolani tests, which assess hip function.
An ultrasound is sometimes performed to confirm the diagnosis if hip dysplasia is suspected.
Diagnosing hip dysplasia in adolescents also involves a physical exam. A healthcare provider will move the hip joint in different directions to see which movements cause pain. Hip dysplasia can be confirmed with various imaging tests. These tests can also assess for damage in other structures of the hip joint.
Imaging tests can include:
How Common Is Hip Dysplasia?About 10% of newborns have hip instability. However, 90% of the time, the affected joints tighten up after birth without treatment. Approximately 1 in 100 infants are treated for hip dysplasia.
How Common Is Hip Dysplasia?
About 10% of newborns have hip instability. However, 90% of the time, the affected joints tighten up after birth without treatment. Approximately 1 in 100 infants are treated for hip dysplasia.
Treatment for hip dysplasia depends on the severity of the condition and when it is first diagnosed.
Newborns through 6-month-old infants are typically treated with a soft brace called a Pavlik harness. The brace is usually worn all the time for the first six weeks, then worn only at night for an additional six weeks.
The Pavlik harness holds the infant’s legs in a bent position, with the hips outwardly rotated.This position helps the hip socket to deepen as the infant grows.
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Infants older than 6 months and children who develop symptoms during adolescence might needsurgeryto correct the position of the ball in the socket. A cast is applied afterward for approximately two to three months as the joint heals.
Additional surgeries—such as anosteotomy(a procedure involving bone-cutting)—are sometimes required to treat joint damage resulting from hip dysplasia.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen), andphysical therapycan also help treat pain and decreasedrange of motionthat develops with this condition.
Hip Dysplasia PrognosisHip dysplasia diagnosed and treated soon after birth can resolve without long-term issues. However, delayed diagnosis and treatment, or severe cases of hip dysplasia, can causeosteoarthritisand difficulty with daily activities later in life.
Hip Dysplasia Prognosis
Hip dysplasia diagnosed and treated soon after birth can resolve without long-term issues. However, delayed diagnosis and treatment, or severe cases of hip dysplasia, can causeosteoarthritisand difficulty with daily activities later in life.
Summary
Hip dysplasia is a condition that occurs when the socket of the hip joint (acetabulum) does not develop properly, allowing the ball of the hip joint (femoral head) to move out of place. The exact cause of hip dysplasia isn’t known, but the condition tends to run in families and affects females more often than males. It is also more common with breech births.
Hip dysplasia in infants is not painful, but pain is the primary symptom adolescents experience when the condition has not been diagnosed at a younger age. The condition is diagnosed with the Barlow and Ortolani tests and can be confirmed with imaging. Treatment can include wearing a brace, closed reduction with casting, or, less commonly, surgery.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Developmental dislocation (dysplasia) of the hip (DDH).American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Adolescent hip dysplasia.International Hip Dysplasia Institute.What causes hip dysplasia?American Academy of Family Physicians.AAP develops guidelines for early detection of dislocated hips.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pavlik harness treatment for children.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Developmental dislocation (dysplasia) of the hip (DDH).American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Adolescent hip dysplasia.International Hip Dysplasia Institute.What causes hip dysplasia?American Academy of Family Physicians.AAP develops guidelines for early detection of dislocated hips.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pavlik harness treatment for children.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Developmental dislocation (dysplasia) of the hip (DDH).American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Adolescent hip dysplasia.International Hip Dysplasia Institute.What causes hip dysplasia?American Academy of Family Physicians.AAP develops guidelines for early detection of dislocated hips.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pavlik harness treatment for children.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Developmental dislocation (dysplasia) of the hip (DDH).
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Adolescent hip dysplasia.
International Hip Dysplasia Institute.What causes hip dysplasia?
American Academy of Family Physicians.AAP develops guidelines for early detection of dislocated hips.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pavlik harness treatment for children.
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