Question
A 20-month-old female child walks with her right leg appearing shorter and taking a waddling gait. When standing, she often supports herself with her left leg, and there are no obvious dimples on her buttocks. After being examined in one hospital and informed that there was no abnormality, she was still uncertain about whether she had congenital pediatric hip dislocation after having an X-ray taken in another hospital. The question is whether an X-ray examination is sufficient for a definitive diagnosis.
Answer
Congenital Hip Dislocation (Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip, DDH) is a common pediatric skeletal disorder that may affect the normal development and function of the hip joint. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for infants and toddlers, as the effectiveness of treatment decreases with age. In the diagnostic process, clinical examination is the initial step, but X-ray examination is vital for confirmation. For infants under 6 months old, since the ossification center of the femoral head is not fully developed, bilateral hip joint anteroposterior and frog-leg X-ray examinations may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. For children over 6 months old, a single bilateral hip joint anteroposterior X-ray is usually sufficient for diagnosis. In addition, CT and MRI scans can provide more information about the bony structures of the femoral head and acetabulum as well as soft tissue details, especially in older children’s cases. These tests help determine the extent of the disease and develop the most appropriate treatment plan. It’s important to note that even if an X-ray examination shows normal results, it does not completely rule out the possibility of congenital hip dislocation. Concerned parents