Hip Dysplasia Family Resources

At OP Specialty Bracing, we know that learning your child has hip dysplasia can feel overwhelming. Our Hip Dysplasia Resource Page is here to guide you with trusted information about diagnosis, treatment information, bracing options, and what to expect along the way. Our goal is to help parents feel supported and confident as they navigate treatment and ensure the best outcomes for their child.

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Hip Dysplasia assessment

What is Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia (also called developmental dysplasia of the hip, or DDH) is a condition where a baby’s hip joint doesn’t form as it should. In a healthy hip, the ball of the thigh bone (femur) sits securely inside a cup-shaped socket in the pelvis. With hip dysplasia, the socket may be too shallow or the ball may be loose, making it easier for the hip to partially slip out (subluxation) or completely dislocate.

  • Uneven Leg Lengths- one leg may appear shorter than the other. 
  • Asymmetrical Skin Folds- extra or uneven skin folds on the thighs or buttocks may be a sign of hip misalignment.
  • Limited Range of Motion- One leg may not open as wide as the other during diaper changes. 
  • Clicking or Popping Sounds- You might hear or feel a “click” or “pop” when moving your baby’s hip, especially during diapering.
  • Uneven Knees- When the baby’s knees are bent (such as during tummy time or diapers changes), one knee may appear higher than the other.
  • Delayed Motor Development- In some cases, hip dysplasia can affect how your baby crawls or walks. You might notice: limping, toe-walking, waddling gait (in older babies or toddlers)

Doctors use a combination of physical exams and imaging tests to check for hip dysplasia:

  • Newborn and Infant Exams – At birth and during routine well-baby visits, your child’s doctor will gently move the legs to feel how the hip joints are working. Special maneuvers (called the Barlow and Ortolani tests) help check if the hip is stable or slips out of place.
  • Physical Signs – Sometimes parents or doctors notice uneven leg lengths, uneven thigh or buttock skin folds, or limited hip movement, which may suggest hip dysplasia.
  • Ultrasound – If there’s concern (especially in babies under 6 months), an ultrasound gives a clear picture of how the hip joint is developing.
  • X-rays – For older infants and toddlers, X-rays are used because the bones are more developed and easier to see.

If hip dysplasia is found, doctors can recommend treatment early—often with a soft brace that holds the hips in a healthy position while they grow. Early diagnosis and treatment usually lead to excellent outcomes.

Learn More About Hip Dysplasia Diagnosis In Our Blogs:

What Causes Hip Dysplasia in Babies? Guide for Parents

Signs and Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia in Infants

Barlow and Ortolani Tests Explained for Infant Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia assessment

Treatment Options

Treatment for hip dysplasia depends on your child’s age and how severe the condition is. The main goal is to guide the hip joint into the correct position so it can grow and develop normally. Early treatment usually leads to the best results.

The most common first step is a soft brace, such as a Pavlik harness. This keeps your baby’s hips gently bent and spread apart, helping the ball of the hip sit firmly in the socket. Bracing is often worn full-time for several weeks to months, but most babies tolerate it well and parents can still hold, feed, and change their baby as usual.

If a brace doesn’t correct the problem, or if hip dysplasia is diagnosed later, doctors may recommend a procedure called a closed reduction. Under anesthesia, the hip is gently guided into the socket and then held in place with a cast (called a spica cast). The cast helps the hip stay stable while the joint grows.

In more severe cases or when the condition is found later, surgery may be needed to reshape the hip socket or reposition the bones. After surgery, a cast or brace is used to protect the hip while it heals.

  • What it is: A large, body cast that usually starts at the chest and goes down one or both legs. It holds the femur completely still so the bone can heal in the right position.
  • Who it’s for: Most common in toddlers and young children (often ages 6 months to 5 years).
  • Advantages:
    • Keeps the bone very stable.
    • Works well for younger kids who are not yet very active.
    • Reliable healing with good outcomes.
  • Challenges for parents:
    • Daily care can be tricky (diapering, bathing, clothing).
    • The cast is bulky and limits movement.
    • Usually require special car seats or equipment.
    • It is not adjustable and becomes “loose” around the fracture when swelling dissipates
    • It is usually put on in surgery under anesthesia.
  • What it is: A removable or semi-removable device that wraps around the leg and hip to hold the femur steady.
  • Who it’s for: Often used in older children whose bones are still growing but who may not need the strict immobilization of a spica cast. However bracing has been used in children under 12 months of age in some cases with success as well.
  • Advantages:
    • Lighter and less restrictive than a spica cast.
    • Easier for hygiene and daily care.
    • Allows for some movement, which can make recovery more comfortable.
    • It is adjustable to keep constant compression around the fracture.
    • Does not need to be put on in surgery.
  • Challenges:
    • Requires the child (and family) to be reliable about keeping the brace on.
    • Not always suitable for very young or highly displaced fractures.

Doctors decide based on:

  • The child’s age and size.
  • The location and severity of the fracture.
  • How well the bone can be kept aligned.

✅ Parent takeaway: Both spica casting and bracing are effective for healing a child’s femur fracture. Your doctor will recommend the option that provides the best stability and comfort for your child’s specific situation.

Learn More About Hip Dysplasia Treatment Options in Our Blog:

A Parent’s Guide to Treatment Options for Hip Dysplasia in Infants

Hip Dysplasia assessment

Bracing Options

When hip dysplasia is diagnosed early, the most common treatment is a brace (sometimes called a harness). These braces are designed to gently hold your baby’s hips in the best position for healthy growth and development—hips bent and spread apart—while still allowing some movement. The type of brace your child may use depends on their age, hip stability, and doctor preference.

  • Most commonly used for newborns and young infants (up to ~6 months old)
  • Made of soft straps that wrap around the shoulders, chest, and legs
  • Holds the baby’s hips in a “frog-like” position—knees up and apart
  • Worn full-time for several weeks, then gradually reduced as the hip stabilizes
  • Allows babies to kick their legs, which helps strengthen the hip joint
  • Often used in older infants and toddlers, or after Pavlik harness treatment
  • Made of firmer plastic with padding, worn over clothes
  • Keeps hips spread apart and bent at a safe angle
  • Can be worn during the day, at night, or both, depending on doctor instructions
  • Used in some countries (less common in the U.S.) for very young babies
  • Similar function to the Pavlik harness but with a more rigid frame
  • Keeps hips in a stable, abducted position for proper socket development
  • Popular in parts of Europe
  • Lightweight brace with shoulder straps and leg supports
  • Allows free movement while holding hips in the correct position

Looking for more information? Check out these website resources with great Hip Dysplasia education and resources-

Learn More About Hip Dysplasia Bracing Options in Our Blog:

Hip Dysplasia Bracing Options for Children: When Each is Used

Top Things You Should Do After Your Child’s Hip Dysplasia Diagnosis

  • Have your provider or orthotist show you exactly how to put on, adjust, and check your baby’s brace.
  • Write down how many hours per day the brace should be worn and when (full-time, nights only, etc.).
  • Before leaving, practice putting the brace on and off under supervision so you feel confident.
  • Stock up on loose clothing (larger onesies, sleep sacks) that fit over the brace.
  • Keep diapering supplies nearby — remember, diapers go under the brace straps.
  • If baths aren’t allowed, set up a safe space for sponge baths with warm washcloths.
  • Mark all follow-up visits and ultrasounds/X-rays on a calendar or phone reminder.
  • Bring a list of questions to each appointment (e.g., “Is the hip improving?” “When might brace time be reduced?”).
  • Keep copies of reports or imaging if available, so you can follow progress.
  • Look under the straps at least twice a day for redness, blisters, or pressure spots.
  • If redness doesn’t fade within 30 minutes after removing the brace, call your care team.
  • Never pad under straps unless your orthotist instructs you to.
  • Use a pillow or rolled blanket to support your baby’s legs while feeding.
  • Continue safe sleep practices: always place your baby on their back, even in a brace.
  • Use a sleep sack instead of blankets to keep your baby warm.
  • Join a hip dysplasia parent group on Facebook or follow organizations like the International Hip Dysplasia Institute for community and tips.
  • Ask your care team if there are local families willing to connect.
  • Share updates with family and friends so they can support you (meals, babysitting for siblings, encouragement).
  • Track milestones, like when the brace hours are reduced or when the hip improves on ultrasound.
  • Take photos of your baby in the brace so you can look back and see how far they’ve come.
  • Remind yourself: with early treatment, most kids with hip dysplasia grow up to walk, run, and play just like their peers.

Hip Dysplasia

Options in Hip Dysplasia Bracing

A new path for treating infant hip dysplasia. This video explains how modular hip braces can expand non‑operative care, reduce the need for surgery, and make life easier for families. You’ll learn why babies need different bracing options, how older or stronger infants can overpower traditional braces, and what to try when first‑line treatments fail. We also look at post‑op care and ways to simplify life after complex surgery, including options that may reduce time in a spica cast.

Hip Dysplasia Resources

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A Parent’s Guide to Treatment Options for Hip Dysplasia in Infants

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Hip Dysplasia Bracing Options for Children: When Each Is Used

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Signs and Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia in Infants

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This website is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or replace consultation with your healthcare provider. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PEDIATRICIAN OR ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALIST FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE REGARDING DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OPTIONS. OPSB products should be used under the guidance of healthcare professionals. Full prescribing information can be found in product labeling. Individual results may vary.

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