Developmental dysplasia of the hip

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Congential hip dislocation

Developmental dysplasia of the hip

Alternative Names:

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

Diminished movement in the affected side
Asymmetry in leg positions
Asymmetry of the thigh fat folds
After 3 months of age, asymmetry of rotation of the leg and apparent shortening of the affected leg

Note: There may be no symptoms.
Signs and tests:

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

A hip that is truly dislocated in an infant should be picked up, but some cases are subtle and some develop after birth, which is why multiple examinations are recommended. Some mild cases are "silent" and cannot be picked up on physical exam.

Ultrasound of the hip is the most important imaging study and will demonstrate hip deformity. A hip X-ray (joint X-ray) is helpful in older infants and children.