Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: Guide for the Pediatric Primary Care Provider

Abstract

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is the most common congenital abnormality in newborns. Untreated DDH can cause significant impairments, including chronic hip pain, osteoarthritis, limb length discrepancy, altered gait, and joint contractures. Treatment outcomes are significantly worse with increasing delay in presentation, making early screening and detection critical. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive guide for the pediatric primary care provider on the cause, diagnosis, and management of DDH. Screening practices, physical examination, imaging modalities, and treatment will be discussed. A missed hip dislocation in a walking-age child is a devastating but preventable event; pediatric primary care providers should have a high index of suspicion for DDH and promptly refer any patient with concerning findings to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. [ Pediatr Ann . 2022;51(9):e346–e352.]