Congenital hip dislocation symptoms are not be very easily seen in a newborn infant. However, a pediatrician will ordinarily check for the presence of this disorder employing a uncomplicated procedure that involves pushing the infant’s legs apart.

Congenital hip dislocation is a disorder in which the hip bone (head of the femur) does not fit appropriately into its socket or is partially or completely outside of its socket. The condition is present at the beginning of life and is more common in girls.

This article shares how this medical condition is diagnosed in both infants and older children and explains how the dislocation is treated.

Congenital Hip Dislocation Symptoms and Causes

Due to the truth that indications are not easily noticed in a newborn infants, most infants are commonly examined for congenital hip dislocation by their obstetrician or pediatrician. If the test is positive, the medical doctor will hear a clicking sound upon flexing and spreading the infant’s legs apart.

In older infants or toddlers, one leg may seem shorter than the other or the toddler may walk with a limp, on his or her tip-toes, or use a waddling gait.

The cause of congenital hip dislocation is not fully understood. There may be a link to a hormone imbalance in the mother during pregnancy or injury through the birth procedure which may be due in part to the position of the fetus (i.e. breech position).

Congenital Hip Dislocation Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is generally made by an obstetrician or pediatrician who may note the disorder during a routine examination. During a routine physical examination, the medical doctor will flex and push apart the infant’s legs, if a clicking noise is heard, the condition may be present.

For toddlers or older children, the medical doctor will observe the child’s gait to detect a limp or other uncommon walking characteristics like walking on his or her toes, or waddling like a duck. Other signs of this problem in toddlers and older children may include the appearance that one leg is shorter than the other, skin folds in the thighs that look uneven and noticeably less flexibility on the side affected by the dislocation.

In more aged infants and children, the diagnosis may be confirmed by further checks like ultrasound and/or x-rays of the hip.

Congenital hip dislocation is generally correctable if discovered early and treatment will depend on the age of the child. In newborns and young infants, a soft device called a Pavlik harness can be applied to sustain correct positioning of the hip bone in its socket. The device permits the hip to develop normally.

For more aged infants and toddlers a procedure termed closed reduction may be performed in which the hip bone is pushed or placed back into the socket. The procedure may be performed with anesthesia. If the procedure fails, open surgery may be recommended.

Treatment ordinarily involves immobilizing the hip joint until it heals. Immobilization can involve utilizing a splint, brace or cast, that may have to be worn for quite a few months. If a cast is essential for a very young kid, the child may experience a delay prior to walking.

Mild hip dislocations may be immobilized by putting 2 or 3 layers of diapers on the infant at one time.

Early and correct treatment can generally lead to normal hip joint function and should not hinder the youngster from leading an lively lifestyle. However, one leg may stay short.

Take an active role in your health by learning all you can about Congenital Hip Dislocation. You can read more about this condition and use a free tool that walks you through your symptoms and leads you to an online diagnosis. Prepare yourself before your doctor’s visit and figure out what your symptoms means using this Medical Symptom Diagnosis Tool.
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The day I took my baby for her 6 month old check-up, last Monday, I received additional news on top of the one problem that she is already dealing with from her Club Feet. Part of the normal check-up routine, when babies reach a certain age, is to check for problems in the hip area by rotating their hips in a circular motion like riding a bicycle. That’s the best way I can describe it, in order for you to get the picture in your mind.

The doctor, checking her that day noticed that there was a problem in her hip area, because her left leg is shorter than her right leg. She continued to rotate her hips to listen for a clicking sound, an indication that her hip bone was out of the socket. It didn’t make any sound, so it was something different going on, and not good.

I was so anxiously waiting and playing with her and looking at her, just thinking how strong she really is. She has been through a lot of “bumps in the road” since being in the womb. I was just thinking what else could it be now? Is this a test from God on how much I can take and still maintain my sanity? I had to figure it out. This is just reality, and what people go through in life. You have to go through such trials and tribulations sometimes to just appreciate what you have and the “little things”.

ORTHOPEDIC UPDATE……..”Congenital Dislocation and Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip”

I took her today for her regular check-up with the Orthopedic today. He took another X-ray of her hips in his private office for his records, and to have a closer look to see what the problem was. He concluded that the ball in her left hip was out of place. The options that me and my husband have to fix this problem are the following:

• A simple outpatient visit with local anesthesia, where he just make a little incision in the hip to make an opening to try to rotate the ball back into the socket.
• Outpatient visit with local anesthesia, where he would just try to manually rotate the ball back into the socket, without an incision.
• Inpatient visit, with general anesthesia, where he would operate on her and put the ball back into place, this being the most accurate way to do the job.

After all of this, she would have to wear a splint or a plaster cast between 6-12 weeks, starting from under her breast bone down to her feet. I felt like what we are experiencin

g with the treatment of her Club Feet, this is just more stress. It’s not her fault, but she deserves a chance just like everybody on this earth to have a productive, happy life. If I can prevent any complications in her life when she gets older, this is one of them.

Like I posted before, “The Time is Now”, to take care of this while she is still very young and her bones are soft still. I don’t want her to have a limp or be called names, if it is preventable as well as curable. It’s in my hands to be strong for her, because she depends on me as being just that, to be STRONG.

I had to follow up with the Orthopedic by making an appointment to get the procedure done on December 17th, which is like 3 1/2 weeks ahead. I know she would be okay, but I would just love if everyone put her in their prayers and hearts. I just want her to feel safe and to come out of this surgery better than before. Make sure you always check to make sure that this hip test is done, just for routine, if you have children, because it can be overlooked. The older they get the more difficult the treatment can become. May God Bless you all.

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