What is congenital dislocation of the hip?
Congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH) is a condition found from birth where the ball and socket joint at the hip does not stay locked together as it should. The top of the thigh-bone (or femur) normally has a ball shape which rolls around within a “cup” shaped socket in the pelvic bones. This allows the leg to move through a large circle at the hip. In some babies the shape of the ball or socket has not developed properly, which means that they easily become detached – the socket may be very shallow or small for example. Alternatively the ligaments which usually hold the ball and socket together may be loose or stretched. As a result the ball part of the joint may come out of the socket completely, or simply be looser than it is. If this isn’t corrected the child may grow up with legs of different lengths and an abnormal gait, causing pain and the early development of osteoarthritis of the hip joint. So, while congenital dislocation of the hip isn’t a life-threatening problem – and b
