Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), better known as hip dysplasia, is a broad term that includes everything from small defects to complete hip dislocations.
The deformity consists of a flattened and verticalized acetabulum (concave-shaped part of the hip located in the pelvis) and a femoral head (convex part of the hip) in anteversion and valgus.
The disability caused by hip dysplasia depends on the degree of definitive dislocation suffered by the patient. The more displaced it is, the greater the patient’s lameness, as well as the more pain and dysmetria (limb length difference).
Prevalence of hip dysplasia
The incidence of CDD occurs in 0.1% of births, favored in females and in breech deliveries. It is a hereditary maldevelopment.
Early diagnosis, essential in hip dysplasia
What is essential in this pathology is early diagnosis, which consists of physical examination by the traumatology expert in search of instability. This will be complemented by diagnostic imaging based on ultrasound scans from birth and simple radiology from the third month of life.
Treatment of hip dysplasia
The treatment of hip dysplasia will vary depending on the degree of dislocation and the time at which the disease is diagnosed. These range from dislocation-containing orthoses, such as the Frejka diaper or Pavlik harness, to associated (or not) surgical reductions, to corrective pelvic and femoral osteotomies (cutting into the bone).