Hi doctor, My 5 months old baby girl has got developmental dysplasia of the hip. DDH was suspected at 3.5 months when there was slightly limited hip abduction and the ultrasound showed signs of physiologically immature hip, Graf type IIa on both sides. In right side, the alpha angle is 57 degrees and beta angle is 59 degrees. Left side, the alpha angle is 58 degrees and beta angle is 57 degrees. We were recommended massage and exercise. At 5 months of age, no frejka splint or pavlik harness was given to control DDH. Our orthopedist said that hip abduction is still slightly limited, but after an x-ray, he reassured us that everything is fine. He advised avoiding sitting until 6-7 months and standing until 12 months. He advised to just do exercises and massage but nothing else. Currently, I am giving her calcium and vitamin D3 supplements. X-ray was taken. I am attaching it for your reference. My questions are, is there DDH and how serious it is? What consequences it will give in her later life? What do you recommend right now? Please help us. We do not have good specialists in my area to consult. We are waiting for your answers with hope. Thank you.
Hi. Yes, there is DDH - developmental dysplasia of hip but of a mild variety, as suggested by the ultrasound, which suggests an immature hip. X-ray (attachment removed to protect patient identity) features show that the hip is not dislocated, but since it is an immature hip. The recommended treatment given by your doctor is proper, and you should follow that. You should follow up with the doctor every month until one year of age for clinical examination, and at one year another x-ray should be taken and compared. Thereafter, if there is no dislocation, then follow up should be every year until skeletal maturity. You should also do a triple-diaper technique (a technique in which three diapers are put together to keep the thighs apart in newborn) at night only for another six to eight weeks. Complications associated with DDH are epiphyseal dysplasia of the proximal femur and avascular necrosis. The chance of which is very less in this case and these complications are more related to treatment with braces.