HIP DISLOCATION: CHILDHOOD

A hip dislocation occurs when the ball of the hip joint slips out of the hip socket. The ball at the top of the thigh bone may not fit securely in the socket or the ligaments of the hip joint may be loose or stretched. If this occurs, the baby may be born with varying degrees of looseness or instability of the hip joint. The baby can be born with a completely dislocated hip or have the ball of the hip fitting loosely in the socket. The looseness may worsen as the baby grows and is more active. If not treated, it can lead to pain and osteoarthritis by early adulthood. Hip dislocation is not a common problem.

Hip dislocation is more common in girls than boys and with a breech birth. It also tends to run in families and is seen more often in first born babies.

When all babies are born, a healthcare provider will examine them to see if there is a problem with the hips. If a clicking sound is heard, or the provider thinks there is a problem, the baby will be checked in 2 weeks to see if it is still there. The clicking sound usually goes away in 2 to 4 weeks. Many times this problem does not show up at birth. It may develop as the baby gets older. This is why the healthcare provider always examines the baby's legs and hips during a well baby visit.

The healthcare provider should examine the baby's hips at every well baby visit. The thigh bones will be pushed and pulled to see if they are loose in the socket. As the baby gets older, the provider will see if the baby's thighs spread apart easily. The provider will look to see if one leg is longer than the other.

Anytime the provider thinks there may be a problem, an ultrasound or an x-ray may be taken. Sometimes the baby will need to see a bone specialist called an orthopedic doctor.

If hip dislocation is found in a newborn, treatment is easier and safer. It is usually treated with a soft brace called a Pavlik harness for 3 to 6 months. The brace, worn day and night, keeps the babies knees spread apart and bent toward the chest while holding the hips in the right place. Putting double or triple diapers on a baby to treat hip dislocation is no longer suggested.

A child that starts to walk with a limp, toe walks, or waddles with a duck-like walk needs to be checked to see if they have a hip dislocation. A child treated at this age may require general anesthesia so that the child is asleep while the hip is put back in place. A special cast that covers most of the body and both legs may be needed after the surgery. If hip dislocation is found after 2 years of age, surgery may be needed along with a special body and leg cast.

It is important that infant hip problems be found early. All well baby appointments need to be kept. If hip dislocation is found early and treated, children end up with normal hip joints and normal hip movements. They do not usually have any other hip problems. Children not treated may develop a form of arthritis in that hip after they are adults.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File BONE3432.RF2 VRS# 7619 Data Version 7.0