$Unique_ID{PAR00060}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Dislocated Hips}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Dislocated Hips legs buttock Folds buttocks groin Creases Crease
limps limp waddle waddles thigh bone dislocates hip socket dislocations
sockets femur dislocation stand standing walk walking leg position orthopedic
specialist pillow spread thighs body splint cast}
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Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Dislocated Hips


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOMS
     - Child moves one leg more than the other.
     - Folds of the buttocks do not match.
     - Creases on the sides of the groin do not match.
     - Child limps.
     - Child waddles.

     HOME CARE
     - None.  See your doctor.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - Dislocation of the hip is a disabling condition if not treated early
       and properly.
     - Be sure that your baby's hips are carefully examined during regular
       visits to the doctor until the child is older than one year.
     - If your child's legs are not the same (in length, size, shape,
       position, or movement), tell your doctor.


     Dislocation of the hip occurs when the thigh bone is out of its proper
place in the hip socket.  Before or after birth, a baby's hip socket may
develop too shallowly.  Eventually, the femur (thigh bone) becomes dislocated
from the socket, either before or at the time when the child begins to stand
and walk.  The condition may occur on one side or on both sides.  The cause is
not certain; in some cases the condition seems to be inherited, while in
others the problem seems to have been caused by an abnormal position of the
infant's legs while still in the uterus.
     If improper development of the hip socket is not diagnosed until after
dislocation has occurred, correcting the problem will be more difficult.  If
it is not corrected before the child walks, the child will limp (if only one
hip is dislocated) or waddle (if both hips are dislocated).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     If only one hip is dislocated, parents may notice that the infant moves
one leg more than the other.  The folds of the buttocks or the creases on the
sides of the groin may not match.  A child who is already walking may limp or
waddle.

     HOME CARE

     There is no home treatment until the condition has been identified by a
doctor.  Dislocation of the hip is a disabling condition if not treated early
and properly.  If you see any signs of hip problems, see your doctor as soon
as possible.

PRECAUTIONS

  -  Be sure that your baby is thoroughly examined (while completely
     undressed) at regular "well-baby" visits to the doctor.  Your doctor
     should examine the hips at each visit until the baby is older than one
     year.
  -  If the child's legs are not the same (in size, shape, position, or
     movement), tell your doctor.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     Your baby should be carefully examined for dislocated hips during each
checkup.  A doctor will suspect dislocation if any of the early signs and
symptoms appear.  The doctor will then check the ability of the thighs to be
rotated outward.  The doctor will also listen for the "clunking" sound that a
dislocated hip makes when put through a certain series of movements.  Your
doctor will order an x-ray examination of both hips if the disorder is
suspected.
     The diagnosis is not usually made at birth, but the condition becomes
more obvious with the passing months.  As soon as the diagnosis has been made,
you should consult an orthopedic specialist.  If the hip is not yet
dislocated, the doctor may recommend the use of a special pillow positioned to
keep the thighs spread or may apply a body splint or cast.  If the hip is
already dislocated, surgery may be required.
     If both you and your doctor are alert, the problem can be noticed early.
Early diagnosis is the key to easier treatment and optimal, permanent results.

RELATED TOPIC:  Sprains and dislocations