Conditions of the Hips
Limping is a very common observation in children. Most times, limps are due to excessive activity and do resolve on their own. But at other times, depending on the age of the child, limping more often than not is usually secondary to problems in the hips.
Other than limping, hip conditions can present with different patterns of walking such as in-toeing and out-toeing. These patterns can be a result of normal development or it can be due to some underlying abnormality.
Newborns are also screened for a condition where the hip may be poorly or under developed or even dislocated. This is called Developmental Dysplasia of the Hips. It is important to diagnose this condition early, as treatment is simple in the early stages, requiring braces or casting. If the chance for early treatment is missed, these children may require more invasive methods such as surgery to remedy it.
Some of the hip conditions that are seen are:
- Developmental Dysplasia of the Hips
- In-toeing
- Out-toeing
- Painful and painless limps in different age groups