Hip Dysplasia Treatment Orange County

Helping You Live Life Free of Hip Pain

Hip dysplasia is a common hip joint abnormality, often present at birth. The painful symptoms are caused by the femur (thigh bone) not properly connecting with the pelvis as it should. This leads to painful dislocations (when the bone slides out of place within its joint). Because the hip is one of the most important joints in the body, it can affect the growing child’s ability to walk, run, or their overall stability.

Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia

About 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 babies are born with hip dysplasia, a condition that is, somewhat more prevalent in girls and firstborn children. Although it can occur in either hip, it is most common on the left side. The condition may be caused if the fetal position in the womb puts pressure on the baby’s hips. In some instances, though, hip dysplasia is genetic.

Common symptoms of hip dysplasia include:

• Hip pain
• Loose, unstable hip joints
• Difficulty and limping while walking
• Unequal leg lengths

How Is Hip Dysplasia Diagnosed?

Imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scans, and others can confirm a hip dysplasia diagnosis in babies older than 6 months of age. Your child’s pediatric orthopedist will perform tests to look for signs of damage and to rule out any other conditions that would require different treatment.

Hip Dysplasia Treatment

Your Hoag Orthopedic Institute orthopedist will tailor your child’s hip dysplasia treatment to help protect the hip joint from further and painful damage. Conservative treatment options may include braces and a harness that will hold the hip joint in place as the child develops. Physical therapy can strengthen the joint, as well as the range of motion of the joint.

In many cases, hip joint operations are most common via a minimally invasive procedure called arthroscopic surgery, where the hip surgeon will repair the torn labrum and the cartilage layer surrounding the hip socket. In some cases, patients may need a total hip replacement to get optimal function out of their treatment.

Interested in learning more about hip dysplasia treatments in Orange County? Please call (949) 705-6493 for further information and to book your appointment with our skilled hip surgeons.

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