Chiropractic co-management is appropriate in cases of DDH as the biomechanical dysfunction caused by the hip will have a direct affect on pelvic and spinal alignment. Emphasis should be placed on treatment after the removal of any harness used in treatment.
About 1 or 2 in every 1,000 babies have DDH that needs to be treated. Without treatment, DDH may lead to problems later in life, including: developing a limp. hip pain – especially during the teenage years.
Hip dysplasia is often corrected by surgery. If hip dysplasia goes untreated, arthritis is likely to develop. Symptomatic hip dysplasia is likely to continue to cause symptoms until the deformity is surgically corrected. Many patients benefit from a procedure called periacetabular osteotomy or PAO.
The two most common surgical techniques for hip dysplasia are total hip replacement and femoral head ostectomy (FHO). Other less common surgical procedures used to treat hip dysplasia include triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO), juvenile pubic symphysiodesis, and DARthroplasty.
Baby carriers that force the baby's legs to stay together may contribute to hip dysplasia. Baby carriers should support the thigh and allow the legs to spread to keep the hip in a stable position.
In the majority of cases, the harness is worn 24 hours a day for 8–12 weeks. Depending on the severity of your baby's dysplasia, for the first few weeks they will usually need to see the doctor every week in order to adjust the harness and receive an ultrasound of their hips.
The surgical procedure most commonly used to treat hip dysplasia is an osteotomy or "cutting of the bone." In an osteotomy, the doctor reshapes and reorients the acetabulum and/or femur so that the two joint surfaces are in a more normal position.
What treatment will my child need? If hip dysplasia is picked up at birth, your baby could wear a soft brace (a Pavlik harness) for 6 to 10 weeks.
Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
- Decreased activity.
- Decreased range of motion.
- Difficulty or reluctance rising, jumping, running, or climbing stairs.
- Lameness in the hind end.
- Swaying, “bunny hopping” gait.
- Grating in the joint during movement.
- Loss of thigh muscle mass.
Activity: Hip Stretch
- Bend your baby's hips and knees to 90 degrees and hold the back of her thighs with the palms of your hands.
- Talk to her and maintain the stretch for 1-2 minutes.
- Practive 2-3 times a day and you will feel less stiffness each day.
If left untreated, hip dysplasia will cause pain, decreased function, and eventually result in hip osteoarthritis. The incidence of hip dysplasia is reported to range from 1.7 to 20 % in the general population, with most studies finding the incidence between 3 and 5 % [1–5].
There are no “natural” cures for hip dysplasia because hip dysplasia is an abnormality of the socket that causes the joint to wear out faster than normal.
While there is no specific disability listing for degenerative hip joints, the problems that are caused by the condition are likely to be considered a major dysfunction of a joint, which is listed under Section 1.02 of Social Security's listing of impairments.
It is widely accepted that hip dysplasia develops around the time of birth because the hip socket is shallower at birth than at any time before or after birth. The shallow socket at birth is because of natural fetal growth that increasingly limits hip movement during later stages of pregnancy.
What about other treatments – such as exercise and physical therapy – to relieve symptoms of hip dysplasia?
- Consider using a cane (on the side opposite the sore hip) to support your body weight.
- Try nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
