Hip Dysplasia Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
The hip joint is a joint between two bones, one side is shaped like a ball, and the other side is a cavity. In a normal hip joint, the ball is in its socket. However, in conditions of hip dysplasia (developmental dysplasia of hip / DDH), the ball is either outside the cavity or in the cavity but not in the right place.
This condition is experienced by babies, generally shortly after birth. But in some cases, hip dysplasia can also occur in the first year of a child’s life.
Reason
There are many things that can cause a child to be prone to hip dysplasia. Among others are:
- Baby born in breech position (bottom down)
- There is a family history of hip dysplasia
- During pregnancy, the mother experienced oligohydramnios (too little amniotic fluid)
- Babies who are swaddled too tightly
Symptom
Because it is experienced by babies, usually no complaints occur. However, in babies who have hip dysplasia, the length of the left and right legs looks different, the skin folds on the left and right thighs are different, and the legs on the hip side that have dysplasia look more difficult to move. And if the child can walk, the side of the leg that has hip dysplasia will look more lame or weak.
Diagnosis
To determine the presence of hip dysplasia, the doctor will perform a physical examination of the hip area. Then the patient’s legs and hips will be moved with certain types of maneuvers to find out which part is experiencing interference.
In addition, sometimes to confirm suspected hip dysplasia, the doctor will also ask the patient to do a hip X-ray or ultrasonography (USG) examination of the hip area.
Treatment
In principle, the sooner hip dysplasia is recognized, the easier and faster the treatment and cure will be. However, if hip dysplasia is only discovered after the child is standing and walking, the treatment becomes quite complicated.
Treatment of hip dysplasia depends on the age of the child. At the age of 0-2 months, to treat hip dysplasia, a special brace will be installed, which is a support made of metal to keep the hips and joints in the right position.
In this treatment, parents must be able to put on and maintain the position of the brace so it doesn’t move – especially if the child is eating, changing clothes, and changing diapers. This tool is generally used for 1 month.
At the age of 2-6 months, the treatment uses the same tools as above. But the tool is used longer. Generally up to 12 weeks. If after that, the hip position is not normal, then sometimes a repositioning action needs to be done. Repositioning is a doctor’s action using the hands, to manually pull or push the hip joint until the joint is in a normal position.
At the age of 6 months to two years, the doctor will try to reposition it first. But if it doesn’t work, then surgery must be done. The operation is performed by making a skin incision in the hip area until the bones and joints are clearly visible, then their position is corrected.
At the age of two years and over, the treatment is surgery, followed by the installation of a type of cast tool (called a spica cast ) to keep the hip joint stable.
Prevention
To prevent hip dysplasia, when the mother is pregnant, it is best to ascertain whether the mother has pregnancy complications – such as a breech pregnancy or oligohydramnios. If there is, then consult with your obstetrician regarding how to give birth and how to detect early hip dysplasia in babies.
Another thing that can be done to prevent DDH is to swaddle the baby in the right way. Actually, swaddling should not be done. But if parents want to swaddle their child, then avoid swaddling too tightly and avoid forcing the child’s legs to be straight when swaddled.