Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia refers to a condition in which the hip socket is abnormally shaped and doesn’t cover the upper thighbone’s ball portion. The hip joint in this case becomes completely or partially dislocated. People suffering from hip dysplasia in most cases are born with it.
Infants are checked by doctors for hip dysplasia shortly after birth. Soft brace helps in correcting the problem if the infant is diagnosed early. Milder cases may not show symptoms until teenage years. The joint cartilage can be damaged in hip dysplasia. The condition may also hurt the labrum or soft cartilage which rims the hip joint’s socket portion. This is known as a hip labral tear.
In young adults and older children, a surgery may be required for moving the bones into the right positions for smoother joint movement. Board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan provides treatments for hip dysplasia to patients in Los Angeles, Century City, CA, and surrounding communities.
Hip Dysplasia Signs and Symptoms
These are a few signs and symptoms:
- Unstable or loose hip joint
- Hip pain
- Unequal leg lengths
- Limping while walking
Diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia
Physical exam will be performed by the doctor to determine if you have hip dysplasia or not. Signs of the condition may not manifest until later. Ultrasound, x-rays, and CT scans are used for confirming the diagnosis in children above the age of 6 months. Doctors ask for these tests to look inside the hip joint. They can assess damage and identify abnormalities.
Treatment of Hip Dysplasia
Treatment of the condition is more focused on managing pain and protecting the hip joint from being further damaged. Treatment will be tailored by the doctor to meet specific needs of the patients.
These are a few available treatment options:
Brace
Doctors may make use of a soft brace for babies younger than 6 months. They may also put a harness for holding the joint in place.
Physical therapy
Your joint can be strengthened by exercise. This can also help improve flexibility in the joint.
Surgery
Your doctor may need to conduct an operation to repair the hip joint. This may be:
- periacetabular osteotomy: femur is repositioned in the hip socket
- arthroscopy: labrum is repaired in this minimally invasive surgery
- total hip replacement: artificial joint is used to restore the hip
Returning to Regular Activities Following a Hip Dysplasia Surgery
People with this condition need to stay in the hospital for 2 – 4 days. You should be able to put some weight on your hip joint after 6 – 8 weeks. However, you would only be able to place full weight when the hip is healed completely. This can take up to three months.
Your surgeon will closely monitor your progress and tell you when to begin your therapeutic exercises. These exercises are meant to strengthen your hip joint. They will help you resume your regular activities. A specialist in orthopedic surgery of the hip, Dr. Garabekyan receives patients from Los Angeles, Century City, CA, and nearby areas for safe and proven hip procedures.
Contact the Southern California Hip Institute
Dr. Tigran Garabekyan is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip preservation. To learn more about Southern California Hip Institute or to schedule a consultation, click here to contact us or call:
Century City / Los Angeles: 310.595.1030
Serving patients in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Century City, West Hollywood, North Hollywood Encino, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Burbank, Glendale and other neighboring cities in the greater Los Angeles, California area.
Also visit http://www.drgorthopedics.com/
