Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

Last updated Wednesday, February 09, 2005

Symptoms

Anatomy

Initial symptoms

Developmental dysplasia of the hip is asymptomatic in childhood, which is why it can be missed and which is why babies are screened for it. The first sign is usually a "clunk" or reduced range of motion of the hip manipulation or physical examination.

One of the first signs that there is a problem perceived by parents is a waddle when the child begins to walk. The child tilts over to the side of the dislocated hip when that leg is planted on the ground and the unaffected leg is swinging.

Progression

As the child gets older, for example toward the end of the first decade of life, pain becomes a feature of the developmental dysplasia of the hip. When the hip is manipulated during a physical examination, there is typically reduced range of motion of the hip.

Untreated, developmental dysplasia of the hip may worsen throughout an individual's life. Treated, developmental dysplasia of the hip has the potential to recur or get worse until maturity, which is why we follow the children we treat until they are mature.

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