Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.
Last updated Wednesday, February 09, 2005
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SymptomsAnatomy The hip is a ball and socket joint. The ball swivels in the socket to
allow for universal or multiplanar motion in every direction (unlike
for example the knee joint, which moves essentially in one plane,
bending and straightening in one direction only). The socket comes from
the pelvis, and is known as the acetabulum. The ball comes from the
femur, or thigh-bone, and is known as the femoral head.Initial symptoms Developmental dysplasia of the hip is asymptomatic in childhood,
which is why it can be missed and which is why babies are screened for
it. The first sign is usually a "clunk" or reduced range of motion of
the hip manipulation or physical examination.
One of the first signs that there is a problem perceived by parents
is a waddle when the child begins to walk. The child tilts over to the
side of the dislocated hip when that leg is planted on the ground and
the unaffected leg is swinging. Progression As the child gets older, for example toward the end of the first
decade of life, pain becomes a feature of the developmental dysplasia
of the hip. When the hip is manipulated during a physical examination,
there is typically reduced range of motion of the hip.
Untreated, developmental dysplasia of the hip may worsen throughout
an individual's life. Treated, developmental dysplasia of the hip has
the potential to recur or get worse until maturity, which is why we
follow the children we treat until they are mature.
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