Approximately one in a thousand infants is born with hip dislocation, where the femoral head is not positioned normally within the acetabulum. Risk factors for hip dysplasia include a family history of the condition, breech presentation, and flexible foot deformities. However, 60% of children with hip dysplasia have no identifiable risk factors. If diagnosed within the first weeks of life, DDH can often be treated successfully with a flexible brace. Failure of early treatment or delayed diagnosis can lead to walking difficulties, leg length discrepancies during childhood, and pain or osteoarthritis in early adulthood.
In our clinic, we offer a monitoring program for congenital hip dislocation aimed at resolving the condition during infancy without requiring surgery. Infants undergo preventive clinical examinations and ultrasound imaging. If pathology is detected, the dislocation is treated using a simple Pavlik harness.
After the child begins walking, the only treatment option is surgical intervention with open reduction of the hip dislocation. These procedures are often accompanied by pelvic and femoral osteotomies.