The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint, one of the largest and most complex joints in the body. It’s made up of:

• Femur — The ball-shaped head of the femur (thighbone) fits into the socket of the pelvis. 
• Pelvis — The socket, called the acetabulum, is a deep cup-shaped structure that surrounds the femoral head. 
• Cartilage — Cartilage is a smooth, slippery tissue that covers the surface of the bones, reducing friction and enabling smooth movement. 
• Ligaments — Ligaments are strong, fibrous bands of tissue that connect the bones, providing stability and limiting excessive movement. 
• Tendons — Tendons are tough, fibrous cords that connect muscles to bones, allowing for muscle contraction and movements. 

Healthy hips are essential for everyday activities like walking, running and climbing stairs. They support our weight and enable smooth movement. However, sometimes they fall prey to issues such as hip dysplasia. 

What is hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a condition where the hip joint doesn’t develop properly, causing the ball and socket not to fit together correctly. This can lead to instability and pain in the hip joint. Hip dysplasia is more common in infants, especially those born breech or with a family history of hip dysplasia. In adults, it’s often associated with wear and tear of the joint, leading to osteoarthritis. 

The signs and symptoms of hip dysplasia can vary depending on the age of the individual, but may include:

1. Unequal leg lengths
2. Asymmetric skin folds in infants
3. Limited range of motion in the affected hip
4. A clicking sensation
5. Limping in children, adolescents and adults
6. Pain in the hip, groin, or knee in children, adolescents and adults
7. Stiffness in the affected hip
8. Early-onset arthritis

If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or your child, it’s essential to consult with a health care professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Early diagnosis and treatment of hip dysplasia are essential to help prevent long-term complications. 

Causes and risk factors for hip dysplasia in humans

While the exact cause of hip dysplasia isn’t fully understood, it’s believed several factors can increase the risk of developing it. 

Risk factors and causes of hip dysplasia for infants include the following:

• Family history
• Breech position during birth
• Female sex
• Firstborn baby
• Tight swaddling

Here are some risk factors and causes of hip dysplasia for children, adolescents and adults:

• Significant hip injury
• Wear and tear
• Genetics

If hip dysplasia is left untreated, it can lead to a variety of complications, depending on the age at which it’s diagnosed and treated.

Impact and complications in infants and children of untreated hip dysplasia include the following:

• Delayed motor development
• Limping
• Pain and discomfort
• Unequal leg length
• Early-onset arthritis
• Hip dislocation

The impact and potential complications of untreated hip dysplasia in adolescents and adults are listed below:

• Pain
• Limited range of motion
• Early-onset arthritis
• Hip joint instability
• Labral tear
• Hip replacement surgery

Diagnosing hip dysplasia in humans

A health care provider can diagnose hip dysplasia through a combination of:

• A physical exam — Your health care provider will do a physical exam to check for signs of hip instability, limited range of motion and asymmetry in leg length. For infants, specific maneuvers like the Ortolani and Barlow tests may be used to assess the hip joint’s stability.
• Imaging tests — To help confirm diagnosis and rule out other potential underlying issues, your doctor may order imaging tests such as:
• Ultrasound — An ultrasound is the preferred method for diagnosis of hip dysplasia in infants under six months of age. It provides detailed images of the hip joint, allowing health care providers to assess the shape and position of the bones and cartilage. 
• X-ray — X-rays are typically used to diagnose hip dysplasia in older children and adults. They can show the extent of the deformity and any signs of arthritis. 
• MRI — In some cases, an MRI may be used to get a more detailed look at the soft tissue of the hip joint, including the cartilage and labrum. 

Treating hip dysplasia in humans

The treatment for hip dysplasia varies depending on the age of the individual and the severity of the condition:

• Infants — For infants, treatment options for hip dysplasia may include:
• Pavlik harness — This is a soft brace that holds the baby’s hips in the correct position, allowing the hip joint to develop properly. 
• Abduction brace — In the event the Pavlik harness isn’t completely successful, your child’s doctor may recommend another type of brace. The abduction brace helps support your baby’s hips and pelvis.
• Surgery — If your baby’s hip continues to be partially or completely dislocated despite the use of the harness and bracing, surgery may be needed. A closed reduction surgery involves manually placing the hip joint back into its socket under anesthesia, followed by a cast to keep it in place. 
• Older children and adults — For older children and adults, treatment options for hip dysplasia may include:
• Physical therapy — Physical therapy can help improve range of motion, strength and flexibility in the hip joint. 
• Medication — Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help manage pain and inflammation. 
• Bracing — In some cases, a brace may be used to help stabilize the hip joint and reduce pain. 
• Lifestyle modifications — Avoiding high-impact activities and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce stress on the hip joint. 
• Surgery — In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the hip joint deformity. Periacetabular osteotomy is a procedure involving reshaping the hip socket to better support the femoral head. A hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure to repair damaged tissue within the hip joint. In severe cases of hip dysplasia, a hip replacement may be needed to alleviate pain and restore function. 

Your health care provider will determine the best treatment plan based on your individual situation. 

Physical therapy for hip dysplasia in humans

Physical therapy plays a crucial role in managing hip dysplasia, especially in older children and adults. It can help strengthen the muscles around the affected hip, improve mobility and even provide support to recovery before and after surgery. Based on your unique needs and concerns, your physical therapist will create a custom treatment plan using effective techniques such as:

• Therapeutic exercises — Your physical therapist may create an exercise routine designed to target specific muscle groups. These exercises may include:
• Strengthening exercises — These exercises target the muscles around the affected hip joint, including the core, gluteal muscles and quadriceps. Strengthening these muscles can help stabilize the hip joint and reduce pain. 
• Range-of-motion exercises — These exercises help improve the flexibility of the hip joint and reduce stiffness. 
• Stretching exercises — These exercises can involve gentle stretches to improve flexibility and activities to build strength in the hips, thighs and lower back. 
• Aquatic therapy — Aquatic therapy involves doing physical therapist-guided exercises in a warm pool. It uses water’s buoyancy to make movements easier and gentler on the body. The water supports your weight, so you can exercise without putting extra pressure on the hip joint, allowing you to build strength and flexibility in a low-impact way. 
• Manual therapy — Manual therapy is hands-on treatment encompassing a variety of techniques used by your physical therapist to reduce pain and improve mobility. These techniques may include:
• Soft tissue manipulation — Your physical therapist may use their hands or special tools to manipulate the soft tissue around your affected joint to help release tightness. This can help boost blood flow to the area, which supports healing and makes the muscles more flexible. 
• Joint mobilization — Joint mobilization involves your physical therapist gently moving your hip joint to improve its range of motion. For those with hip dysplasia, joint mobilization can reduce stiffness and improve the way the hip moves within the joint. This can make it more comfortable to walk, sit and stand. 
• Pre- and postsurgery therapy — For some people with hip dysplasia, surgery may be necessary to correct the joint. Physical therapy before surgery can prepare your body by strengthening the muscles around the hip, which can help make your recovery process easier. After surgery, physical therapy plays a huge role in helping you regain your strength and mobility. Your physical therapist will guide you through a personalized plan to help you heal and safely get back to your usual activities. 

With treatments like these and others, your physical therapist can help you work to relieve pain, strengthen muscles and improve how your hip joint moves, helping you to stay active and mobile. Whether you’re starting treatment, preparing for surgery or recovering afterward, physical therapy can make a big difference in your journey to a healthier, happier hip. 

Let Lattimore PT help you on your journey to better movement and lasting wellness

At Lattimore Physical Therapy, we understand the challenges associated with hip dysplasia and offer personalized treatment plans designed to treat your unique needs. Our experienced physical therapists can help improve range of motion, strength and function, reducing pain and restoring mobility. By combining effective techniques, we can help you achieve your rehabilitation goals. With our expert guidance, we can be your partner in achieving a stronger, healthier hip and get you back to doing the things you love. 

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.