The hip joint is among the biggest and most-used joints in our body. It helps us perform various movements like walking, running, sitting, standing, and more. Any injury or condition affecting the hip joint makes it difficult for the person to move or walk around. In the most severe cases, the person may need surgery involving hip orthopedic implants.
In this post, we will talk about one of the hip joint conditions that generally affect people at birth. Yes, we’re talking about hip dysplasia. Let us have a look at it in detail.
What is Hip Dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia is known to be a congenital disorder in which the femoral head does not fit well in the socket. There could be multiple reasons why such a condition occurs. This occurs because the socket does not fully cover the ball portion of the hip joint. People suffering from the condition are at the highest risk of partial or complete dislocation.
Most people who have hip dysplasia are born with this condition. However, it is not necessary that the healthcare service provider will be able to assess it right away. This is because in many cases, the person may not experience any symptoms until adulthood.
Well, it is important to get the condition diagnosed timely because if left untreated, it may result in osteoarthritis. In the later stages, there may arise the need for a hip replacement.
What Are the Causes of Hip Dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia is a condition that occurs at the time of birth because the socket (acetabulum) does not fully cover the ball (femoral head). Well, there could be multiple reasons for this, some of which may include:
- Breech presentation
- Large baby
- First pregnancy
What Are the Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia?
Some people may not experience any symptoms until adulthood. If noticed, they may include:
- Hip pain
- Loose or unstable hip joint
- Limping while walking
- Difference in leg lengths
What is the Diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia?
Diagnosis of hip dysplasia requires a physical examination which is performed during the first few days after birth. The healthcare service provider will keep examining the child during well-baby visits for any signs of abnormality around the hip joint. In some cases, no signs develop until the child is older.
There are several imaging tests that the healthcare service provider may order to confirm the diagnosis:
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- CT Scan
What is the Treatment of Hip Dysplasia?
The goal of the treatment of hip dysplasia is to manage pain and prevent further damage to the hip joint. The treatment of the condition depends on the severity and the age of the patient. In children under 6 months, the healthcare service provider may use a Pavlik harness to keep the hip joint in place and allow the socket to fully cover the ball.
Physical therapy sessions may also be advised to strengthen the joint and improve flexibility. In most cases, surgery may be required to repair the joint and minimize further damage. Surgical options may include arthroscopy, periacetabular osteotomy, and total hip replacement. If you want to attend an international orthopedic exhibition, register for the Congress of orthopaedics 2023 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
