You may find it overwhelming when you visit for an check-up and your doctor says your baby has been diagnosed with developmental hip dysplasia (DDH). This condition occurs in approximately 1 out of 1000 newborns. Thankfully the majority of the babies born with hip dysplasia will not require surgical treatment and live a perfectly normal, active life. Early diagnosis is crucial in avoiding more complex intrusive treatments. Hip dysplasia is a treatable condition with the best outcomes associated with earlier diagnosis.
Book a consultation with a specialist today to ensure your baby’s hips are healthy.
What Is Hip Dysplasia in Babies?
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition in which the hip joint was not fully formed in infants. Instead of fitting securely in the hip socket, the ball of the thighbone is loose, unstable, or even completely out of place. This misalignment might affect one hip (unilateral) or both hips (bilateral) and can range from mild to severe.
Baby hip development is very important during the early months of life. In DDH, abnormal joint development if left untreated will eventually impact on mobility, function and comfort. Certain hip dysplasia signs can be noticeable early but are often subtle, while others become apparent once the baby starts to walk.
Early detection helps to correct hip dysplasia easily with non-invasive treatments that have high success rates with lower risk of complications. Early diagnosis and treatment in the first few months of life can make a dramatic difference to the outcome compared with late detected cases when the child os of walking age.
What Causes Hip Dysplasia in Newborns?
There are several factors that can put your baby at an increased risk. However, having risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean that your baby will develop the condition.
The principal factors are:
- Breech position: Babies with breech position (feet-first position) are at increased risk
- Family history: If your family or your partner has hip dysplasia, the risk is increased in your child
- First babies: Tight womb space may influence hip development as hip dysplasia is more common in first born babies than subsequent births.
- Female babies: Girls are four times more affected than boys
- Tight swaddling: Certain cultural practices of swaddling new borns may have a detrimental impact on the risk of developing hip dysplasia.
It is important to note that many babies born with hip dysplasia have none of these risk factors. It is a condition which can happen to any baby which is why early diagnosis is crucial.
Developmental Hip Dysplasia Signs to Watch For
As a parent, you are the first line of defence. Here’s what one should observe in the daily care:
When cleaning the diaper, observe:
- If there is shorter leg than the other one
- If there is difficulty spreading the one leg compared to the other one
- Uneven skin folds on thighs or buttocks
- Clicks or pops sound whenever hip is moved
As your baby starts growing, look for:
- One leg longer than the other
- Asymmetric walking
- Walking on tiptoes on one side
Developmental hip dysplasia signs can be subtle in newborns. This is the reason that your paediatrician performs certain tests during the regular check-ups. Share all possible things which you notice or find abnormal in your toddler as clinical suspicion leading to early detection results in less in evasive treatment.
Diagnosis and When to See a Specialist
A physical examination is the first step towards diagnosing DDH and could be performed immediately after birth. The paediatricians have certain methods to detect instability of hip joints. However, clinical examination alone can miss hip dysplasia in many cases. Even when the examination is done by a clinical expert. Imaging is the gold standard test for picking up hip dysplasia in children.
The type of imaging test will depend on the age of the child:
- Ultrasound (most suitable during the first 6 months of a baby)
- X-rays (more suitable for older infants)
In case of any suspicion of hip dysplasia, one must consult a specialist at the earliest opportunity. A prompt referral can ensure that treatment begins early, often before symptoms become apparent or progress.
For expert evaluation and advanced care, consider reaching out to Dr Assad Qureshi, a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon in Dubai who specialises in hip disorders in infants and children.
Developmental Hip Dysplasia Treatment Options
When the treatment of developmental hip dysplasia starts early, it is highly successful. Depending upon the age of your baby and severity of the condition, treatment differs.
In newborns (0-6 months): The Pavlik harness is the most common brace used in this age group. It is a soft brace that places the hips in a position that optimises stability while allowing some range of motion. It has a greater than 90% success rate when employed correctly.
In the case of older babies (6 months – 2 years):
- Rigid bracing or spica casting can be required
- Treatment periods usually requires longer
- Frequent follow up is required to ensure that the dysplasia is improving.
In resistant cases: It would be wonderful if we could avoid surgery in all cases of childhood hip dysplasia. However, when the diagnosis is made in a older child or in cases that do not improve with simple bracing, surgical procedures are often required. The surgery may be required to place the hip back into the joint if it is dislocated or to correct the shape of the hip joint to improve stability. Surgery undertaken by expert surgeons can yield excellent results in patients.
Hip dysplasia treatment can be likened to a journey where the doctor needs to trace the path of your child’s hip development even following seemingly successful treatment early on in life. Scheduled follow up with clinical assessment and imaging is vital to ensure that the hip develops normally as the child grows into adulthood.
Long-Term Outlook and Hip Health
After treatment, children with hip dysplasia usually achieve fully normal function. They can play sport, run, jump around, and live as active people without restrictions. However, clinical follow up is crucial to ensure that the treated hip continues to develop normally.
However, untreated hip dysplasia behaves very differently. Without appropriate treatment, children may experience pain, limited movement, and early arthritis as they progress into adulthood. Often many of these patients will require total hip replacement surgery with an artificial joint much earlier in life than would be expected.
The message is clear; early diagnosis and treatment of hip dysplasia ensures healthy baby hip development and minimises the risk of developing lifelong complications.
Supporting Your Baby Through Treatment
1. Parents can find useful advice as follows:
- Seek medical advice if you have any concerns about your baby’s hips.
- Manage harness care by following the instructions of your doctor; do not adjust it according to yourself.
- Choose loose clothing that fits over the harness. Continue bonding through cuddles, singing, and play.
- Attend scheduled follow ups to ensure that your baby’s hips are responding to treatment as expected.
2. Support to parents:
There is nothing unusual in being overwhelmed. Acknowledge your emotions and openly communicate with your treating doctor concerns and questions that you have.3. Development of support networks:
Join support groups or connect with other parents. It feels good when you share experiences and get some practical advice and the comfort of knowing that you are not alone.
Conclusion
When it comes to babies born with hip dysplasia, taking early action truly changes everything. With prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment your child can end up having healthy, pain-free hips and enjoy a full range of activities throughout their life. Although it may initially seem overwhelming, clinical expertise for treating this condition is readily available.
Your role as a parent is critical. With knowledge, observation, and active engagement in the treatment of your baby, you will provide your baby with the best opportunity for a healthy and mobile future.
If you are concerned that your child may have hip dysplasia or have queries about their current management, feel free to contact us to arrange for a specialist consultation.
Dr. Assad Qureshi
Dr. Assad Qureshi is a highly experienced Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in musculoskeletal disorders in children. With a focus on early diagnosis and advanced surgical techniques, he is committed to restoring function and improving the quality of life for his pediatric patients.
