What are the best treatments for developmental hip dysplasia (DDH)?

1. HIP DYSPLASIA IN BABIES By Travcure Medical Tourism www.travcure.com

2. INTRODUCTION What is Hip Dysplasia? The term 'Hip Dysplasia' encompasses a variety of hip joint disorders. The hip-joint is a 'ball and socket' joint where the ball at the upper end of the thighbone fits firmly in the socket which is part of the large pelvis bone. When the ball does not fit properly in the socket, that condition is called as 'Hip Dysplasia'. What is Developmental Dysplasia of Hip? Developmental Dysplasia of Hip (DDH) affects the hip joint in infants & young children. The condition can be congenital or develop later during birth, after birth or during early childhood. DDH occurs in about 1 to 3 out of every 100 babies.

3. CAUSES • CAUSES OF CONGENITAL HIP DYSPLASIA • Family History • Breech Position • First Pregnancy • Large Babies • Reduced Amniotic Fluid During Pregnancy • Other disorders like Cerebral Palsy or Spine Problems • Gender • CAUSES OF ACQUIRED HIP DYSPLASIA • Improper Swaddling Techniques • Restrictive Baby Car Seats • Unsafe Baby Carriers/Slings

4. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS • Asymmetry: One leg appears shorter than the other or presence of uneven skin creases • Hip Click: The sound of hips clicking or popping can be an indicator of hip dysplasia • Limited Range of Motion: Babies with Hip Dysplasia have trouble spreading their legs completely which may cause difficulties in diapering. • Pain: Pain in the hip joint is usually not present in babies but is a common symptom of adult hip dysplasia. • Swayback: If the child limps while walking, it is due to one limb becoming shorter than the other. This is a clear sign of hip dysplasia.

5. DIAGNOSIS • Hip instability during birth is commonplace as the tissues are soft and lax. Usually, the tissues tighten within 2 months and the instability disappears. If hip instability persists for 4-6 months after birth, the following diagnostic tests can be carried out to detect hip dysplasia: • Physical Examination • Ultrasound Imaging (under 4 months) • X-Ray (for over 4-6 months of age) • Magnetic Resonance Arthrogram (MRA) scan • Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

6. TREATMENTS • The goal of DDH treatment is to correct the hip joint abnormality and restore proper movement. Commonly used treatments include: • PavlikHarness: This harness is used to hold the infants hips in correct position. It is usually the first treatment after DDH is detected in babies younger than 6 months. The harness keeps the babies leg bent & turned outwards and allows restricted movement thereby helping the hip to get stabilized.

7. TREATMENTS • Closed Reduction & Spica Cast: If harness technique is not effective, pediatric orthopedists anaesthesize the child and positions his/her hip correctly. A special cast or plaster is then applied to keep the hip joint in the correct position. This technique is usually used for kids over 6 months of age & the plaster is kept on for atleast 12 weeks. MRI or CT scan is done to ensure that the hip position is correct. • Open Reduction: If DDH is detected late and the babies have already grown up, a small operation is carried out to treat hip dysplasia. In this operation, the tendons surrounding the joint are loosened and anything that possibly restricts the movement of the hip is removed. Once the hip is able to move freely, the joint is then strengthened.

8. TREATMENTS • Surgery: If all the above techniques fail and DDH remains unresolved even after 18 months of age, more complicated surgeries are required. Surgical techniques include hip replacement or total hip arthroplasty. Hip resurfacing can effectively treat adult hip dysplasia. If the type is hip dislocation, then hip replacement is usually recommended. • Early treatment of DDH ensures higher success rate and avoid long-term complications.

9. DO YOU NEED HIP DYSPLASIA TREATMENT? GET IN TOUCH WITH US info@travcure.com +91-8600044116www.travcure.com