One page summary: Hip problems in babies after birth

In two sentences

Hip dysplasia means the ball and socket of the hip joint have not formed or fitted together properly. The hip can be loose, partly out of place, or fully dislocated. ¹

It is not usually painful in a baby and there is often nothing a parent would notice, which is why every newborn's hips are examined and why babies with risk factors get an ultrasound. Treated early with a harness it usually resolves. Found late it often needs surgery. ¹

The numbers, with their sources

• The biggest risk factor. Breech position in the last part of pregnancy, which is why breech babies are routinely offered hip imaging ²
• How it is screened. Physical examination of every newborn, and ultrasound for babies with risk factors, because ultrasound shows cartilage that X-ray cannot ¹
• Why not X-ray in a newborn. A newborn hip is largely cartilage and does not show on X-ray. Ultrasound is used in the early months and X-ray becomes useful later ¹
• The usual treatment. A soft harness that holds the hips in a flexed, spread position so the socket deepens around the ball ¹
• Why early matters. Treatment with a harness in the first months is usually successful. A hip found later more often needs surgery ¹
• What travels with it. Torticollis and foot positional problems occur more often alongside hip dysplasia, so babies with one are checked for the others ¹

What to do this week

1. If your baby was breech, ask whether a hip ultrasound is indicated. ²
2. Ask whether the hips were examined at the newborn check and at each visit since.
3. Ask about family history of hip problems and tell your team if there is one.
4. Check your swaddling technique. The legs should be free to bend and spread.
5. If your baby has torticollis, ask for the hips to be checked.
6. Ask when the next hip check is and what they will be looking for.

Questions to take with you

Take these with you. Write the answers down in the moment, because you will not remember them later.

For the pediatrician

• Were the hips examined, and what were the findings?
• Do my baby's risk factors mean an ultrasound is indicated?
• Is one leg shorter, or are the creases uneven?
• When is the next hip check?

For the orthopedic team

• Is the hip dislocated, partly out, or just loose?
• How long in the harness, and how will we know it is working?
• What happens if the harness does not work?
• How long will we be followed up, and what are you watching for?

You can also build a printable list with the question generator.

Where to read more

The full page on this condition covers how it happens, causes split into what happens even with perfect care and what is associated with gaps in care, signs by age, diagnosis, treatment, outlook, daily life and lifetime cost.

Read the full page on Hip problems in babies after birth

Related pages are listed at the bottom of it, including the events that can lead to this condition and the guides that cover therapy, school and money.