Care & Treatment for Hip Dysplasia in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV

Hip dysplasia is a misshapen hip joint that does not allow the ball portion of the joint to fit snugly into the socket. Although hip dysplasia usually is present at birth, it may not produce symptoms until adulthood. The condition causes abnormal wear and tear on the hip joint, which can cause pain, joint instability, and repeated dislocations.

From diagnosis to treatment, rely on the orthopedic specialists and surgeons at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals. Learn more about your treatment options for hip dysplasia in Las Vegas or Henderson, NV, by calling (702) 616-4900 or take our joint health assessment online.

 

Hip Dysplasia Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of hip dysplasia can vary depending on the person’s age. In small children, the condition usually is called “developmental dysplasia of the hip” (DDH). Babies or small children with the condition often limp or walk on their toes. Babies with hip dysplasia also may have one leg that is noticeably shorter than the other.

In adolescents or adults, the signs and symptoms of hip dysplasia may include:

  • Limping
  • Limited hip flexibility, or a difference in flexibility between one hip and the other
  • Deep pain in the groin or the back of the hip, especially during activities that put stress on the joint
  • Unusual sensations in the joint, often described as “popping” or “locking”

 

Causes of Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia occurs when the socket portion of the hip (the acetabulum) is either too shallow to hold the ball portion of the joint (the femoral head), or the acetabulum has formed in the wrong place along the pelvis. In either case, the socket cannot fully contain the ball of the hip joint.

Doctors don’t know for sure why some people are born with hip dysplasia, but these factors can increase your risk:

  • Female gender
  • First born child
  • Family history of hip dysplasia
  • Giving birth to a baby who is breech
  • Low levels of amniotic fluid in the womb before birth

 

Treatment of Hip Dysplasia at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals

Treatment and prevention strategies for hip dysplasia focus on early diagnosis, treatment in infancy when possible, pain relief, and restoring the joint’s function. Common treatment for DDH in children from birth through age two is a repositioning device such as a sling or cast that holds the hip joints in the correct position for normal development. 

Treatment of hip dysplasia in adolescents and adults includes observation and monitoring, avoiding activities that aggravate the condition, physical therapy, weight loss, over-the-counter pain medication, and hip replacement surgery.

You can’t prevent hip dysplasia. However, you can reduce your child’s risk of developing symptoms later in life by catching the condition early. Have your child attend well-baby checkups for DDH screening and have a doctor investigate any complaints of hip pain or stiffness.

If you are an adult with hip dysplasia, you can preserve hip function by losing weight, doing low-impact exercise, and avoiding activities that cause extra wear-and-tear on the joint.

Orthopedic specialists at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican treat hip dysplasia in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.