Hip Dysplasia

Developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH) is an abnormal formation of the hip joint in which the ball at the top of the thighbone (femoral head) is not stable in the socket (acetabulum). Also, the ligaments of the hip joint may be loose and stretched. The degree of instability or looseness varies. A baby born with DDH may have the ball of his or her hip loosely in the socket, the looseness may worsen as the child grows and becomes more active, or the ball may be completely dislocated at birth.

Left untreated, DDH or hip dysplasia leads to pain and osteoarthritis by early adulthood. It may cause legs of different lengths or a "duck-like" walk and decreased agility. DDH has a familial tendency. It usually affects the left hip and is predominant in:

*Girls.
*First born children.
*Babies born in the breech position (especially with feet up by the shoulders). The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends ultrasound screening of all female, breech babies.

Symptoms? Cause? Diagnosis? Treatment?

>>Read More at: www.aaos.org