The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The femoral head fits into the acetabulum (the socket) in the pelvis. But when the pelvis is too shallow and doesn’t completely cover the femoral head, then hip dysplasia may result. Hip dysplasia occurs most commonly in women.

How common is hip dysplasia?

Many people are born with this condition.

Pediatric orthopedic doctors check suspected babies shortly after birth for any signs of this condition.

The symptoms do not manifest until teenage or adulthood.

Hip dysplasia symptoms in children

 Symptoms do vary according to the age of the child. During infancy, a mother can notice variations in the length of the legs of her child. One leg looks longer than the other.

Mothers can notice stiffness in the hip joint while changing diapers. One hip joint seems to be more flexible than the other.

A child may develop a limp while walking when the child begins to walk.

Hip Dysplasia Symptoms in Adults

In teenagers and adults, hip dysplasia causes pain.

It can also lead to painful conditions such as osteoarthritis of the hip joint or hip labral tears. Both these conditions are painful.

Many adults also experience painful hip joints associated with activity – and also, feel a sensation of instability in the hip joint.

What happens when a person develops this condition?

 Hip dysplasia can damage the hip joint – especially the cartilage of the hip joint. It can also damage the soft cartilage, that is, the labrum that surrounds the socket part of the hip joint. Thus, hip dysplasia is one of the causes of hip labral tear.

When the hip joint is not properly aligned, then there is a high contact pressure over a smaller surface area of the socket. The smooth cartilage gradually wears away over time leading to hip dysplasia symptoms and osteoarthritis of the hip joint.

Hip Dysplasia Diagnosis

Orthopedic doctors usually check for hip dysplasia by moving a baby’s legs in different positions. They do this to check whether the hip joint fits together well. If they suspect hip dysplasia, they order a hip ultrasound to see whether the cause is hip dysplasia.

When orthopedic doctors suspect hip dysplasia in adults, they may order X-rays or MRIs to diagnose the cause of hip pain.

Treatment

Hip dysplasia treatment depends on the age and magnitude of hip joint damage. Doctors usually treat infants with a soft brace (Pavlik harness). It helps in keeping the joint firmly fixed in the socket for several months.

For babies older than 6 months, an orthopedic doctor moves the bones in proper position and alignment and then uses a full-body cast to hold them properly for several months. In some cases, doctors recommend surgery.

For older people surgery is recommended for a severely damaged hip joint that results in arthritis.

When is surgery recommended?

Doctors recommend surgery for both children and adults to move the bones into the proper position and alignment for smooth joint movement.

Bottom Line A soft brace can help correct the problem if a pediatric orthopedic doctor diagnoses hip dysplasia in early infancy. Irrespective of whether hip dysplasia is diagnosed during early infancy, childhood, teenage years, or at an older age, timely intervention and treatment ensures promising outcomes.