Our son was very fortunate. After being born with a dislocated hip, the surgeon was able to put it back in the socket. At first the hip socket was shallow. But after surgery, a deeper cup-shaped socket formed around the head of the femur. No further surgery was needed. We saw other kids in the clinic who weren’t so lucky. How come some children develop normally and others end up needing more surgery?

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), also known as acetabular dysplasia (AD) is a common disorder affecting infants and young children. In this condition, the head of the femur slips out of a very shallow acetabulum (hip socket).

In mild cases called unstable hip dysplasia, the hip is in the joint but easily dislocated. More involved cases are partially dislocated or completely dislocated. A partial dislocation is called subluxation.

No one knows for sure why acetabular dysplasia persists despite early and aggressive treatment. It’s possible there are some genetic factors involved. Some children may grow bone faster than others. They are more likely to have a successful result.

When the hip is realigned at a young age, it’s difficult to predict whether or not the hip socket will deepen and form around the femoral head. Surgeons and parents often go through an anxious wait-and-see process.

Researchers are finding more accurate and reliable ways to get around this problem. New ways to predict success of a closed reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip are now available. Closed reduction means the dislocated hip is realigned in the socket under anesthesia. It’s held in place with a cast. An open incision isn’t needed to accomplish this realignment.