developmental hip dysplasia
A condition where the hip joint is improperly formed, with the femoral head not properly seated in the acetabulum.
Full Definition
Developmental hip dysplasia (DDH), formerly known as congenital hip dysplasia, encompasses a spectrum of hip abnormalities ranging from mild acetabular dysplasia to complete hip dislocation. The condition occurs when the ball-and-socket hip joint fails to develop normally, with the femoral head not properly positioned within the acetabulum. Risk factors include breech presentation, family history, female gender, and certain swaddling practices. Early detection through physical examination (Ortolani and Barlow maneuvers) and imaging is crucial, as treatment outcomes are significantly better when initiated in infancy. Treatment may range from observation and positioning devices (such as Pavlik harness) in infants to surgical intervention in more severe or late-detected cases.
Usage
Usage note: Preferred term over 'congenital hip dysplasia' as it reflects the progressive nature of the condition.
In Context
- "Routine newborn screening detected developmental hip dysplasia, prompting orthopedic referral." — Newborn examination note
- "The Pavlik harness successfully treated the infant's developmental hip dysplasia when applied at 6 weeks of age." — Orthopedic follow-up report