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Developmental dysplasia of the hip

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Developmental dislocation of the hip joint; Developmental hip dysplasia; DDH; Congenital dysplasia of the hip; Congenital dislocation of the hip; CDH

Symptoms:

• Reduced movement in the affected side
• The leg may seem shorter on the affected side
• The leg positions may be different (asymmetric)
• The folds on the thigh fat may seem uneven
• After 3 months of age, the affected leg may turn outward or be shorter than the other leg

Note: There may be no symptoms.

Signs and tests:

Pediatricians routinely screen all newborns and infants for hip dysplasia. There are several methods to detect a dislocated hip or a hip that is able to be dislocated.

A hip that is truly dislocated in an infant should be seen, but some cases are mild and some develop after birth, which is why multiple examinations are recommended. Some mild cases are silent and cannot be found during a physical exam.

Ultrasound of the hip is the most important method to show hip deformity. A hip x-ray ( joint x-ray ) may be helpful in older infants and children.

• Review Date: 5/15/2006
• Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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