What is hip dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia, also known as developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and acetabular dysplasia, is a condition where the hip socket doesn’t fully cover the ball of the femur, causing the hip to partially or completely dislocate. This poor fit (or incongruency) can also lead to premature damage to the cartilage, pain, instability and stiffness.
Hip dysplasia can be present at birth or develop throughout childhood and adolescence. Hip dysplasia is a relatively common condition, affecting about 1 in every 1,000 infants born in the US each year, and is more common in girls. The good news is most babies have no long-term complications if their hip dysplasia is treated when they’re younger than 6 months. Sometimes, older children and adults can develop hip dysplasia, with symptoms such as pain or instability occurring later in life.
Hip dysplasia symptoms
Symptoms of hip dysplasia differ by age. In infants, one leg may appear longer than the other, or a limp may develop once the child starts walking. One hip may also feel less flexible during diaper changes. In teenagers and young adults, hip dysplasia can lead to pain, limping, giving way or clicking. Further development of arthritis or a labral tear can cause groin pain during activity and a feeling of hip instability.
When to see a doctor
All infants are screened for DDH, but parents should discuss symptoms with their baby’s pediatrician at a well-baby checkup.
You should also visit a doctor promptly if symptoms of hip dysplasia cause:
- Limited ability to move a joint or bear weight on a leg
- Severe hip pain that doesn’t improve after a few days
- Visible changes or deformity to the structure of the hip joint
- Any new onset of a limp, hip pain, or feelings of instability in a child or adolescent
What causes hip dysplasia?
The exact causes of hip dysplasia aren’t clear. There are genetic factors, environmental factors, and developmental reasons that can increase the risk.
If the ball of the developing femur isn’t positioned firmly into the hip socket, the socket will not completely form around it. Instead, the socket will become too shallow to fully support the femoral head. As the fetus grows larger and more tightly positioned in the uterus before birth, the shallow hip socket can force the femoral head out of position.
Hip dysplasia risk factors
Hip dysplasia tends to run in families, but any baby can be born with the condition, and anyone can develop it. Though hip dysplasia can affect either hip, it is more common to have it bilaterally with differing severity.
Risk factors for hip dysplasia include:
- First-born babies
- Larger infants: Babies who are larger and more crowded in the uterus may be at higher risk.
- Sex: Girls are two to four times more likely to have hip dysplasia than boys.
- Birth position: Babies born breech (feet first) are more likely to develop hip dysplasia.
- Family history: Having a parent or sibling with hip dysplasia increases the risk of a child developing it.
- Swaddling: Improper swaddling that keeps the hips extended and together can increase the risk of hip dysplasia.
Complications of hip dysplasia
People with hip dysplasia, both adults and infants, are at a higher risk of hip dislocation and early joint degeneration. While dislocations usually happen due to serious trauma, hip dysplasia weakens the hip joint, increasing the risk of partial dislocation that develops over time, known as gradual subluxation. It can also cause looser muscles and ligaments around the hip.
Other hip dysplasia complications can include:
- Hip labral tears: As you age, hip dysplasia can damage the labrum, the soft cartilage that forms a rim protecting the hip socket.
- Osteoarthritis: Concentrated pressure and friction on the hip socket may damage or wear down the cartilage in the hip joint.
- Recurring hip pain: The poor fit of your hip joint can lead to pain and instability.
How is hip dysplasia diagnosed?
In addition to a check right after birth, infants are often screened for hip dysplasia at all their well-child visits. For higher-risk infants, an ultrasound is often performed. Diagnosing hip dysplasia in adolescents and adults requires a combination of a physical exam and imaging tests. Tell your doctor when you first noticed the hip pain and if any activity makes it worse.
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Medical history and exam
Your doctor will take your medical history and whether you had hip dysplasia during childhood. They may also ask if you’ve had any accidents that affected your hip and whether you currently experience pain or functional problems with your hip.
As part of the physical exam, your provider will ask you to move your hip through a range of motion and examine you for a leg-length discrepancy or a tilted pelvis. They’ll ask you to walk so they can observe your gait and check for limping.
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Imaging tests
Diagnostic imaging tests can help confirm hip dysplasia. Tests and scans help your doctor locate abnormalities and signs of damage in the hip joint and identify the source of your pain.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasounds are used on infants suspected of having hip dysplasia. They use sound waves to produce images of the hip at certain angles.
- X-rays: X-rays taken from a specific angle can reveal a shallow hip joint, and they are often used for teens and adults.
- CT and MRI scan: A CT and MRI can show further detailed anatomy and soft tissues in the hip joint and may be used in adults suspected of having hip dysplasia.
Hip dysplasia treatment
Several treatments for hip dysplasia can relieve discomfort and protect the hip joint. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to options that preserve hip function so you can lead an active life. Your doctors will recommend a treatment depending on your age and the extent of your hip damage.
Infants are usually treated for a few months with a soft brace, such as a Pavlik harness, to help keep their joints aligned as they grow. If your child starts treatment when they are younger than 6 months old, this may be all they need to correct hip dysplasia.
Lifestyle changes
For adults with hip dysplasia that hasn’t damaged bone or cartilage, lifestyle changes may help protect your hip joint.
- Choose low-impact sports, such as cycling or swimming.
- Lose weight to relieve pressure on the joint.
- Consider physical therapy, which may help protect joint function and increase range of motion.
Medication
Your doctor may recommend medications to help you find relief from the pain of hip dysplasia and delay or avoid surgery. Although these medications can’t fix hip dysplasia or address the cause of your condition, they can relieve your pain, allowing you to continue a more active lifestyle.
- Corticosteroids: These injected medications may reduce inflammation around the hip joint.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These over-the-counter medications can reduce pain and inflammation.
Surgery
When nonsurgical treatments are no longer effective, or your hip dysplasia is severe, surgery might be the best treatment option. The type of surgery will depend on your age, activity level and severity of hip damage.
Hip dysplasia surgeries include:
- Periacetabular Osteotomy: A surgeon realigns and reshapes the existing bones in your joint.
In some instances, it may be necessary to replace the hip joint. If your hip joint has become severely damaged, a doctor may recommend hip replacement surgery, in which a surgeon replaces your natural ball and socket with a metal and plastic artificial joint.
Locations
We offer several locations for your care, including orthopedic specialty centers in North and Central Texas.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Center for Advanced Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Center for Thoracic Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75702
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Touchstone Imaging Tyler
2019 Old Troup Hwy , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital
1814 Roseland Blvd Ste 100, Tyler, TX, 75701
Glen Oaks Hospital
301 Division St , Greenville, TX, 75401
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital - Sherman
3601 N Calais St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Urgent Care+ Sherman
4028 N Hwy 75 , Sherman, TX, 75090
- Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital Urgent Care - Tyler
8101 S Broadway Ave , Tyler, TX, 75703
- Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Texas Vascular Associates - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Spine & Scoliosis Center - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates Pediatrics - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 110, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Outpatient Rehabilitation - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 120, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 100, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Gastroenterology - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic Associates of Dallas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Imaging Center - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 200, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Endoscopy Center - Sherman
1615 US-75 Ste B, Sherman, TX, 75090
Sherman Endoscopy Center
1615 N Hwy 75 , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Women's Care & Continence Center - Sherman
260 E Evergreen St , Sherman, TX, 75090
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Texas Vascular Associates - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 105, Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 205, Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 205, Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Sherman
204 Medical Dr Ste 240, Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care - Van Alstyne
250 N Collin McKinney Pkwy , Van Alstyne, TX, 75495
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Anna
601 S. Ferguson Pkwy Ste 100, Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Royse City
594 W Interstate 30 , Royse City, TX, 75189
- Monday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd Ste 104, Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Texas Cardiac Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Institute - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
- Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - McKinney Red Bud
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
Baylor Scott & White Institute For Rehabilitation - McKinney Lake Forest
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
Baylor Scott & White Institute For Rehabilitation - McKinney University
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
Frequently asked questions
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Is hip dysplasia genetic?
Yes, hip dysplasia can be passed from parents to children. But genetics isn’t the only risk factor. Girls, babies born in the breech position and babies swaddled tightly are at higher risk.
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How can you prevent hip dysplasia?
Because most people with hip dysplasia are born with it, it usually can’t be prevented. Speak with your OBGYN about ways to protect your child’s hips or treat hip dysplasia once your baby is born.
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How do you treat hip dysplasia?
Treatment for hip dysplasia depends on the age and the severity of the condition. Babies are usually treated with a soft brace for a few months. In adults, lifestyle changes, medication or in some instances, surgery may be utilized to treat hip dysplasia.
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Is hip dysplasia painful?
Yes, hip dysplasia can be painful, especially during physical activity.
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How common is hip dysplasia in babies?
Hip dysplasia is a common condition that affects about 1 in 1,000 newborns in the US.