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Treatment of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) At John Hunter Children's Hospital
Babies Born in the Hunter New England Area
All babies born in the Hunter New England Area Health Services will have their hips and feet checked by either doctors, physiotherapists and/or midwives before going home. Babies found to have high risk factors or signs of dysplasia, are generally referred to a Paediatrician or Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon for further follow-up consultations.
Babies Born at John Hunter Hospital
Babies born at John Hunter hospital are screened by a team comprising experienced physiotherapists and paediatric orthopaedic doctors. This screening programme has been very important in reducing the incidence of late detection of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) in our area.
Hip Checks
Your baby should be screened for hip problems regularly via your Child Health Nurse/Community Midwife or GP when you attend your regular baby health checks for growth and development / immunisations.
What if My Baby is Found to Have a Problem?
At Birth
If a baby is found to have an unstable or dislocatable hip at birth, the doctor will arrange referral to a suitable specialist and treatment options will be discussed. This usually takes the form of a soft brace called a Pavlik harness. The Pavlik harness is safe, effective and well tolerated by babies and their families. This treatment will be fully monitored at the John Hunter Children's Hospital Hip Clinic.
A stable hip that has a click, or is sometimes called a 'clicky hip' may not require treatment. The baby may need to have a hip ultrasound or further tests.
3 months old
If a baby is suspected of having a hip problem after 3 months, the GP or Paediatrician will arrange referral to a Paediatric Orthopaedic Specialist. More investigations may be needed to determine whether further management is required. A diagnosis of hip dysplasia at this age, or above, may require your child to be placed in a hip spica cast.
Older Children
Older children (older than 6 months) who develop hip dysplasia may require more complicated treatment than younger children. A child older than 6 months will need a referral to a Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon where treatment options can be discussed on an individual basis.
Fact Sheets and Information Related to DDH
- DDH
- Care of child in a hip spica (pdf 397K)
Referral and Appointments for Hip Clinics at John Hunter Children's Hospital
Hip clinics at John Hunter Children's Hospital
