Hip Dysplasia

When the thigh bone, or femur, is not properly connecting with the pelvis as it should from birth, this abnormality in the hip joint is known as hip dysplasia. This misalignment is usually associated with hip pain, instability, limping, difficulty walking, unequal leg lengths, and dislocations as the bone slides out of place within the hip joint. In some cases, hip dysplasia is genetic. In other instances, it may be attributed to pressure placed on the baby’s hips in the womb due to a particular fetal position. 

A child’s ability to be mobile and experience overall stability without pain is greatly hampered by hip dysplasia and why this condition must be addressed as early as possible. A non-surgical treatment plan could include physical therapy to strengthen the joint and increase range of motion, while braces and a harness could be employed to keep the hip joint in place as the child grows. If the surgical route is pursued, arthroscopic surgery is the minimally invasive option to repair the torn labrum and surrounding cartilage layer. If the condition is severe enough, total hip replacement becomes the next option to achieve complete functionality out of the hip joint.