Hip Dysplasia

About 1 in 1,000 babies born in the United States have hip dysplasia, although older children and adults can also develop it. With offices in Beverly Hills and the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, Robert H. Cho, MD, diagnoses and treats hip dysplasia to reduce the risk of painful complications. Schedule an appointment with orthopedic surgeon Robert Cho, MD, by calling the office or booking a visit online today.

What is hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a common condition affecting the hip joints. It occurs when bones in the hip joint don’t fit together properly, which may damage cartilage and cause painful symptoms over time.

Hip dysplasia is highly treatable, especially when detected and treated early. After hip dysplasia is corrected, children with the condition shouldn’t have any long-lasting effects. 

Early detection and intervention offer the best outcome. See Dr. Cho if you think you or your child has hip dysplasia.

Which symptoms can hip dysplasia cause?

Hip dysplasia signs and symptoms may include:

• Hip pain
• Pain in the front of the groin
• Unstable or loose hip joint
• Limping when walking
• Having legs that are different lengths
• One leg turns outward more than the other
• One leg moves less than the other

Hip dysplasia is most common in babies and younger children, but it can also appear during adulthood.

Many babies with hip dysplasia are diagnosed with the condition when they’re younger than six months old, when a pediatrician discovers it during routine checkups. 

What are the risk factors for hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia risk factors may include:

• Genetics
• Family history of hip dysplasia 
• Complications during pregnancy
• Crowding in the womb during pregnancy 
• Being female
• Being a firstborn child
• Being a large baby
• Breech position during pregnancy
• Being swaddled tightly as a baby

Left untreated, hip dysplasia complications that could develop may include hip dislocation, weak hip joints, hip labral tears, unstable hip joints, and osteoarthritis. 

How is hip dysplasia diagnosed?

Dr. Cho can diagnose hip dysplasia by completing a physical exam, reviewing your or your child’s medical history and symptoms, and ordering imaging tests (X-rays, ultrasound, CT scanning, etc.). He creates a treatment plan that will provide the best outcome. 

How is hip dysplasia treated?

A personalized hip dysplasia treatment plan may consist of:

• Bracing or casting 
• Physical therapy
• Hip dysplasia surgery

Dr. Cho may suggest surgery if other treatments haven't worked. 

Babies might need to wear a brace for several months to ensure their hips develop properly.

You can’t prevent babies from being born with hip dysplasia, but early detection makes this condition highly treatable.

Older adults with hip dysplasia who have severely damaged hip joints may be candidates for hip replacement surgery. 

Dr. Cho follows up over time to ensure you or your child’s hip dysplasia treatment is effective and long-lasting.

Schedule a hip dysplasia evaluation with Robert H. Cho, MD, by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.