Developmental Hip Dysplasia
Developmental hip dysplasia is a condition that affects babies. It used to be called congenital hip dysplasia, but the nomenclature was changed because doctors later realized that this condition is not always present at birth. Congenital implies a condition that occurs prior to birth or right at birth.
Hip dysplasia occurs when the thighbone, or femur, becomes dislocated from the hipbone. Normally, one end of the femur should be connected to a socket of the hipbone. When dislocation occurs, the femur separates from the hipbone. If the joint remains dislocated, permanent deformity may occur to the hip joint, and the child may never walk again.
The Cause
No one is certain about the true causes of hip dysplasia. There are probably several factors that contribute to the condition. Researchers do know that baby girls are more likely to develop hip dysplasia than baby boys, and babies who are born breech (delivered legs first) tend to get hip dysplasia more often. In addition, overcrowding inside the uterus also predisposes babies to hip dysplasia.
Fact
Developmental dysplasia of the hip is a relatively common condition. It is estimated to affect 4 out of 1,000 babies. The risk of having the condition is higher in firstborn babies, and girls are six to nine times more likely to have the condition than boys.
How is hip dysplasia diagnosed? Pediatricians check hip dysplasia in all babies born in the hospital, usually within twenty-four hours of birth. The doctor holds each leg in a hand and pushes down on the hip joint. If hip dysplasia is present, the joint is temporarily dislocated. If the doctor detects hip instability, an ultrasound is ordered to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Luckily, most babies with hip dysplasia can be treated non-surgically. A specially designed strap that roughly resembles a suspender is used to correctly hold the thighbone in the socket of the hipbone. As the baby grows, the correct placement of the bones in the joints encourages proper growth, and dislocation is prevented by the harness. This contraption must be worn at all times, and it must be serially adjusted by a physician. More than 90 percent of babies with hip dysplasia get better with this harness.
If the harness fails to fix the problem, the baby needs to be put in a bulky leg-length cast for many months to allow the bone to develop undisturbed. If that fails, parts of the thighbone may need to be surgically reshaped to fit into the socket of the hipbone. Fortunately, this procedure is rarely necessary.
