What Are the Treatments for Congenital Hip Dislocation?
Congenital hip dislocation, also called developmental dislocation of the hip or DDH, is an abnormality that occurs at birth or shortly afterward. In a dislocated hip, the top of the thigh bone or femur does not touch the acetabulum, or hip socket.
The treatment depends on the child's age.
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Diagnosis
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Health-care providers examine newborns for symptoms of hip dislocation. These exams include manipulation of the hips to sense a clunk, and a visual exam for uneven folds in the skin of the upper thigh.
During routine exams, pediatricians test babies for hip dislocation.
Treatment for Newborns and Infants
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A Pavlik harness is the treatment for hip dislocation in newborns. This apparatus positions the femur into the socket and holds it into place. The harness is usually used for one to two months.
To treat a hip dislocation in children aged 1 to 6 months, the doctor anesthetizes the infant before positioning the femur. Then the doctor puts the infant into a body cast to hold the leg in the correct position.
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Treatment for Older Children
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For children older than 6 months, the treatment for hip dislocation is surgery to put the femur into the correct position. Then the child is put into a body cast to hold the hip in the socket.
For children older than 2, the surgeon also corrects any deformities in the hip.
Prognosis
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Children who are diagnosed and treated early for hip dislocation generally recover with no ill effects. The older the child, the higher the risk of long-term issues, including arthritis.
Cause
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The cause of congenital hip dislocation is not clear, but risk factors include a breech delivery and a family history of the condition. Girls are affected four to eight times more often than boys are. Congenital hip dislocation occurs once in every 1,000 births.
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