Congenital hip dislocation is a condition more commonly referred to as developmental dysplasia of the hip, or DDH. People are born with a dislocation of the femoral head from the hip socket. A diagnosis of congenital hip dislocation is made most often in the early days of infancy, or sometimes in the toddler years, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Treatment, including bracing and surgery, is performed as early as possible and can help prevent future pain and complications, such as arthritis.
Loose Joint
Developmental dislocation of the hip does not always mean the femoral head is completely out of its socket. Sometimes, the joint is just loosely set into the hip socket. If the disorder is not diagnosed at birth, a pediatrician may notice the looseness during regularly scheduled checkups, according to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. The doctor may hear or feel a "clunk" when rotating the hip in question.
Uneven Leg Length
A child who has DDH may appear to have one leg longer than the other. The leg with the hip dislocation may actually be shorter than the normal leg because of the formation of the hip joint, or it may just seem that way. The child may hold his affected leg in an abnormal or different position than the healthy leg, which can cause an appearance of unevenness. The way the skin folds lie on the upper leg may also seem to be asymmetrical.
Restricted Mobility
Children who have congenital hip dislocation may seem less flexible or may not be able to move as well with the affected leg. Children with this disorder may walk irregularly with a waddle-like gait. Walking on the toes or limping are other signs of DDH, according to the National Institutes of Health.
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