Our Orthopedic Center treats children of all ages, from neonates to adolescents with suffering from hip disorders, such as hip dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes Diease, slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), avascular necrosis and arthroscopic management for labral tears, and femoroacetabular impingement. Board-certified pediatric orthopedic surgeons, who specialize in hip deformities offer leading surgical repair and reconstruction techniques, to provide good hip function throughout adulthood.
Evaluation & Diagnostic Care
Developmental dysplasia or congenital hip/joint abnormalities are found at birth or during a newborn screening after the baby is born. If this occurs, the orthopedic surgeon will get a complete prenatal and birth history and look for any hereditary indications. Orthopedic diagnostic care will ensure proper diagnosis for this congenital or acquired hip condition. Some of these tests are done in our Cherese Mari Laulhere Imaging Center at Miller Children’s. Early detection is important for successful treatment.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Non-surgical treatment is often the first step in correcting hip deformity conditions, especially in hip dysplasia. Non-surgical treatments include:
Pavlik harness
The Pavlik harness is used on babies up to 6 months old to prevent the hip from moving out of the socket, but allowing the legs to move a little. The harness is usually worn 24/7 for at least six weeks and then 12 hours a day for six weeks. Follow-up visits are important to examine the baby’s hip and adjust the harness as the baby grows.
Traction and Casting
Traction uses force to stretch the soft tissues around the hip in a specific direction to allow the femoral head to move back into the hip socket, and is usually on a pulley mechanism above the bed. Traction is most often used for approximately 10 to 14 days. A cast is then put on to hold the hip socket in place
Closed Reduction & Spica Cast
If hip dysplasia is diagnosed after age 2, closed reduction may be required to put the hip back into place manually, without cutting into the skin. A spica cast, worn for three to six months, will then be put on the baby to hold the hip in place, until the hip returns to normal placement. A special brace and physical therapy will most likely be necessary to strengthen the muscles around the hip and leg after the cast comes off.
Surgical Treatment
Persistent hip symptoms can lead to hip damage, because wearing out of cartilage inside the hip joint becomes permanent. Corrective surgery can treat a hip abnormality. Hip surgeries are performed in our Surgical Center under anesthesia.
Our orthopedic surgeons specialize in hip reconstructive surgery, which often can delay or eliminate the need for a total hip replacement in children.