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Late Stabilization of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Without Treatment: A Case Report
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Packard Children's Health at Stanford, Stanford, California.
Insights
Most newborns with unstable hips improve without treatment. This case study highlights an infant with developmental dysplasia of the hips that stabilized later in life without intervention.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a common condition in neonates.
- Most cases of DDH in newborns resolve spontaneously within the first few weeks of life.
Observation:
- This report details a rare case of DDH in an infant that stabilized at a later age.
- The infant did not receive any orthopaedic treatment for the condition.
Findings:
- Spontaneous stabilization factors included the infant's preferred position (hips flexed, abducted, externally rotated).
- Delayed walking and light body weight also potentially contributed to the natural resolution of DDH.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of DDH natural history.
- It suggests that conservative management, including positioning, may be beneficial in select cases of late-stabilizing DDH.
Case:
Approximately three-quarters of neonates with unstable hips will spontaneously stabilize without treatment in the first few weeks of life. This report presents the long-term follow-up of an infant with developmental dysplasia of the hips that stabilized at an older age and without any orthopaedic treatment.
Conclusions:
Factors contributing to the spontaneous stabilization in this case included the patient's self-selected lower extremity position of comfort with hips flexed, abducted, and externally rotated; her delayed walking; and her light body weight.
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