Hip dysplasia is a condition observed in infants and young children, stemming from developmental issues within the hip joint. In this condition, the femur (thigh bone) partially or completely slips out of the hip socket, resulting in hip joint dislocation. It is frequently noted in first-born babies with a family history of the disorder. While the precise cause of hip dysplasia remains unknown, genetic factors are believed to be significant contributors to this congenital abnormality.
Common symptoms of hip dysplasia include:
- Different leg positions (dislocated hip may cause the leg on that side to turn outward)
- Limited movement on the side of hip dislocation
- Apparent leg shortening on the affected side
- Uneven skin folds of fat on the thigh or buttocks
In a normal hip, the femoral head (thigh bone) fits snugly into the socket (acetabulum). However, in hip dysplasia, the socket and femoral head are incongruent due to abnormal development. Patients with hip dysplasia may have undergone one or more hip surgeries during childhood, which can result in significant skeletal changes and scarring of soft tissues. Later in life, secondary osteoarthritis may develop, leading to hip pain and stiffness, often necessitating total hip replacement surgery. During this procedure, the surgeon enlarges and prepares the socket to receive the acetabular component. In some cases, a bone graft may be placed to reconstruct the roof of the defective hip socket.