During well-baby visits, healthcare professionals typically check for hip dysplasia by moving an infant’s legs into a variety of positions that help indicate whether the hip joint fits together well. If hip dysplasia is suspected, a hip ultrasound might be ordered to check the hip joint for signs of dysplasia.
Mild cases of hip dysplasia can be difficult to diagnose and might not start causing problems until you’re a young adult. If your healthcare team suspects hip dysplasia, they might suggest imaging tests, such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Hip dysplasia treatment depends on the age of the affected person and the extent of the hip damage. Infants are usually treated with a soft brace, such as a Pavlik harness, that holds the ball portion of the joint firmly in its socket for several months. This helps the socket mold to the shape of the ball.
The brace doesn’t work as well for babies older than 6 months. Instead, the healthcare professional may move the bones into the proper position and then hold them there for several months with a full-body cast. Sometimes surgery is needed to fit the joint together properly.
If the dysplasia is more serious, the position of the hip socket also can be corrected. In a periacetabular (per-e-as-uh-TAB-yoo-lur) osteotomy, the socket is repositioned in the pelvis so that it matches up better with the ball.
Hip replacement surgery might be an option for older people whose dysplasia has severely damaged their hips over time, resulting in debilitating arthritis.
You’ll probably first bring your concerns to your family healthcare professional. They might refer you to an orthopedic surgeon.
Before your appointment, you might want to:
Your time with the healthcare professional is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. Some basic questions to ask include:
In addition to the questions that you’ve prepared to ask your healthcare team, don’t hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time if you don’t understand something.
Your healthcare professional is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
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