Patient's question:
The child is 1 year old and has hip dysplasia, which prevents normal living.Doctor's answer:
Clinical observation of the following abnormalities can be detected by parents or infant caregivers:(1) Unequal leg lengths, with reduced mobility in the affected leg.
(2) Difficulty in outwardly abducting the hip joint on one side (affected limb).
(3) Asymmetrical skin folds on both inner thighs, groin, perineum, or buttocks.
(4) The greater trochanter of the affected side protrudes upward and outward.
Healthcare professionals can use the following physical examination procedures to assess and diagnose:
(1) The hip joint is unstable and can be dislocated outward or reduced.
(2) The affected hip joint does not move in sync with the pelvis.
(3) When both legs are flexed at 90°, the affected side appears lower.
X-ray examinations are of limited benefit for infants under 3 to 4 months old and are generally used to analyze and assess skeletal dysplasia. If only dysplasia is present, the above examinations are unlikely to detect it.