Is hip dysplasia safe in children?

Developmental dysplasia of the hip means the ball-and-socket joint has not formed or aligned normally. Some babies have no obvious sign, while others may have uneven leg folds, limited movement on one side, or a difference in leg length. In older children, a limp, waddling walk or reduced hip movement can be a clue. Untreated instability may place extra strain on the joint as a child grows, but treatment choices are tailored to age, examination findings and imaging.

Arrange an assessment with a paediatric clinician or orthopaedic specialist if hip dysplasia is suspected. Keep imaging and follow-up appointments, use any brace exactly as instructed, and avoid changing its position without advice. When carrying a baby, support the thighs so the hips can rest in a comfortable flexed and open position rather than being held tightly together.

Seek prompt medical advice if a child develops sudden inability to bear weight, marked pain, fever with a painful hip, a newly obvious difference in leg position, or rapidly worsening walking difficulty. A brace also needs review if it causes skin breakdown, persistent swelling, unusual colour change or distress that does not settle.

Is the hip stable on examination? What imaging is appropriate for my child’s age? How should the brace be worn, and what movement or skin changes need an earlier review?