One in every thousand babies born has developmental dysplasia of the hip. It’s a severe condition that can affect their growth and development.
In developmental dysplasia of the hip, the baby’s hip may be shallow, which causes the ball of the extended leg bone to slip in and out of the joint’s socket. But how does it happen?
Primary causes of hip dysplasia
WebMD says that hip dysplasia can be hereditary, which means that it can run in families and often happens in females more than males.
Hip dysplasia usually happens in babies since their hips aren’t fully developed yet when born. While the ball and its socket are still in their development stage, the socket may be too shallow, thus affecting how it develops together with the ball.
There are several reasons why a baby gets born with this condition. One reason is that it’s the mother’s first time to get pregnant. Another reason is the baby’s overall mass. If the baby is large, it can limit his or her movement while still inside the mother’s womb.
A baby who’s in the breach position is also prone to hip dysplasia. This means that instead of the head, the baby’s rear points toward the birth canal.
Also, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford says that orthopedic problems can cause a baby to develop hip dysplasia. These can range from congenital conditions to metatarsus adductus.
Primary symptoms of hip dysplasia
Every baby can experience symptoms differently. But most of the time, the leg can seem more diminutive on the side of the dislocated hip. Also, the leg that’s on the side of the disjointed hip can turn outward. A baby who has hip dysplasia may have uneven folds of skin on their thigh or buttocks. Also, the space right between the legs may appear wider.
If not appropriately addressed, patients with hyp dysplasia can carry it with them until their teenage years. One of the first things that they’ll notice is a pain in their hips. They’ll also experience a clicking or popping sensation in their joints.
A person with this condition usually experiences pain after doing some physical movements. The pain often happens in front of the groin, but they can also feel discomfort in the back or side of their hip. It only happens occasionally, but if not treated properly, the pain intensifies and become more frequent. Once the hip dysplasia is already severe, the pain can cause a person to develop a moderate limp. Over time, it can cause a person to have a deformity or even weak muscles. Some even experience limited flexibility right in their hip joint.
The only way to treat hip dysplasia for older children and adults is hip surgery in Highland. But if the condition is only mild, then patients can undergo arthroscopy, which is minimally invasive, to treat the condition.
If you notice any of the symptoms with your child, then it’s best to reach out to the doctor immediately. Doing so will save your child from further problems in the future. Also, learning as much as you can about hip dysplasia will help you prepare for it better.
