What is Hip Dysplasia? Comprehensive Information from Advanced Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine of Houston
Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joints don’t develop normally, preventing the top end of the thigh bone from fitting properly into the socket. Usually, the cause of this issue is an abnormally shallow socket. This can prevent the joint from rotating normally. It can even cause the hip joint to become partially or fully dislocated and the cartilage to wear down at an especially high rate. Dysplasia also tends to make it difficult and painful to walk.
Hip dysplasia in children vs. hip dysplasia in adults
While hip dysplasia is usually present at birth, its impact may not become apparent until childhood or adolescence. However, some people with mild dysplasia do not experience anything out of the ordinary until adulthood.
That said, dysplasia is typically a progressive condition, meaning that it tends to get worse throughout a person’s development. As long as a person’s body is continually growing, his or her hip bones may continue to change. Orthopedic physicians can sometimes intervene if the condition is detected early, using conservative treatment options to help guide the hip bones into a more natural shape. However, once a person has finished growing, the degree of dysplasia that he or she has is not likely to change.
If left untreated, dysplasia can cause complications such as arthritis of the hip. As a result, chronic hip pain or changes in gait should always be discussed with an experienced physician – no matter when in a person’s life they occur.
Hip dysplasia treatment
For children with dysplasia, physicians may recommend special harnesses or braces to change the path of the hip’s development. For adults, however, treatment focuses on relieving pain, improving the function of the joint and preventing damage that could lead to early-onset arthritis. Physical therapy, for instance, can be used to strengthen the muscles in the hips and thighs, while pain relievers can help reduce discomfort.
For severe cases of hip dysplasia, surgery may be recommended to reshape and realign the bones in the hip. Depending on a patient’s specific anatomy, a surgeon may operate on the socket of the hipbone (the acetabulum), the thighbone (the femur) or both.
At Advanced Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine of Houston, Texas, we offer comprehensive hip dysplasia treatment for patients six year of age and older. We take a conservative approach whenever appropriate, helping our patients find the least invasive but most effective options for their needs. For more information about our surgical and nonsurgical therapies, contact us today.
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1Professional Building II At North Cypress Medical Center
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2North Cypress Professional Building At Lakewood Crossing
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3North Cypress Professional Building At Towne Lake
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4Advanced Orthopaedics Memorial
What Our Patients Are Saying
Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine has, at 76, virtually given me a new lease on being mobile and active. I have seen Dr’s Tanous, Patel, and Cubbage for an assortment of neck, spine and hip problems.
I was in pain for a couple of months and went to see Dr. Cubbage. He knew right away by the way my posture what the issue was. He had me scheduled in and he along with his staff were awesome.
Dr. Cubbage & Staff replaced a disc that had been destroyed between my 4th and 5th vertebra. This is my 4th month since the surgery in January of 2018. I was very impressed with their dedication
Dr. Alain Elbaz is one of the most progressive orthopedic surgeons in the state. I’ve received PRP injections and hyaluronic acid injections in my aging and damaged joints allowing me to continue my daily jogging
Dr. Ryan Blalock is AMAZING! He went above and beyond to fix my 8 year old son’s severely broken arm with emergency surgery.
I never review places or services on Facebook, but I could not let others know how blessed I was to have Dr. Cubbage as my surgeon. He and his lovely staff, including awesome Karen,
Always awesome. Everyone is kind, very professional and thorough. Dr Blalock and his team go out of their way to help any way they can.
I have found the staff to be courteous and professional. Lynn and Julie were wonderful to work with and took good care of me. And Dr. Brooks and Dr. Mack are excellent
Always treated promptly and kindly at AOSM. Thanks to Dr Mack and his team.
Great experience with Dr. Tanous and staff. Telling our entire family and friends about my husband Mel ‘s injury and the kind and expert care we received . Our thanks and appreciation .