16 Feb 👶🏻Were you told that baby had clicky hips at birth but it’s nothing to worry about? And now you’re told that baby has a dislocated hip which is why your child is unable to walk at 18 months old 😳
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) refers to a spectrum of conditions affecting the hip joint in infants and children, ranging from a mild dysplasia where the hip is not properly formed to a complete dislocation where the ball (the femoral head) is not in the socket (acetabulum) at all. DDH is more common in newborns and infants, but sometimes it is not detected until later in childhood or even adulthood, leading to what is termed as a “late diagnosis” of DDH. 
Here in Australia, the 2 most common reason why DDH is missed in babies and infant are
1. Mild dysplasia can sometimes go unnoticed until symptoms develop later in life, such as pain or a limp.
2. Certain risk factors, such as family history of DDH, breech presentation, or being firstborn, may not be adequately considered when baby was assessed by the Paediatrician or Family Doctor.
Late diagnosis often requires more complex interventions, such as surgery and delays in treatment can lead to the development of osteoarthritis, hip pain, and differences in leg length. The longer the hip joint remains dysplastic or dislocated, the greater the risk of developing these issues.
3 Later Signs of DDH to look out for:
1. Your toddler’s hip seems clunks in and out of their socket when you open their hips to change their nappy.
2. When lying on their back with their knees bent and feet on the mat, your child’s knees are unequal in height.
3. Your toddler seems to waddle side to side when they walk.
Early detection and treatment of DDH are crucial for promoting normal hip joint development and minimising the risk of complications.
If you are concerned about our baby’s hips, don’t adopt a wait and see attitude, instead ring My Favourite Physio
on (02) 9790 4233 or DM us @myfavouritephysio to speak with one of our Expert Paediatric Physiotherapists 
today. Let us help ensure your baby has healthy hips for life!
#myfavouritephysio #ddh #clickyhips #paedsphyio #kidsphysio #earlyintervention