Joint dysplasia is the underdevelopment of one or two, more often hip joints. Although there are dysplastic lesions of other joints. This disease, depending on the severity, is manifested by dislocation, subluxation and preluxation of the joint. Congenital dislocation of the hip is an extreme manifestation of the disease.
Causes of joint dysplasia
The disease is a consequence of connective tissue disorders. There are several main causes of joint dysplasia:
breech presentation of the fetus;
hormonal disruptions in the mother’s body during pregnancy;
birth injuries;
genetic predisposition;
the age of the parents is more than 40 years.
Symptoms of joint dysplasia
The symptoms of the disease are noticeable immediately after the birth of the child, with a visual examination:
the folds of the buttocks and thighs are not symmetrical;
one leg is shorter than the other;
the inability to bend both legs at the knees at the same time to touch the table with them.
Diagnosis of joint dysplasia
A thorough examination of the child for pathologies of the hip joint should be carried out in the maternity hospital. The condition of the baby should be assessed by a pediatrician who has observed the child since his birth, if there are suspected deviations, additional studies are prescribed (consultation of a pediatric orthopedist or ultrasound).
It is mandatory to visit a pediatric orthopedist, and after the child goes on his own.
If joint dysplasia is suspected, an X-ray examination is prescribed to get a general idea of the condition of the joints.
Treatment of joint dysplasia
If confirmed, treatment should begin immediately. In the absence of timely treatment, as the child grows, a slight degree of dysplasia turns into a subluxation, and then into a dislocation.
The treatment of this disease requires a long period and an integrated approach. Moreover, the child does not always perceive this therapy positively.
In the first month of a child’s life, a wide swaddling is used, so that the baby’s legs are bent at the knee and hip joints. Children quickly get used to this method of swaddling and in rare cases are capricious.
Therapeutic gymnastics is also an integral component of dysplasia therapy. The hips are divorced every time the child changes clothes.
If wide swaddling and physical therapy are not enough to get a positive result, special orthopedic aids are prescribed (splints, spacers, frame pillow, Pavlik stirrups).
Physiotherapy, namely electrophoresis with calcium, show good results in dysplasia.
Physical therapy and massage should be carried out only by a specialist, since the child’s skeleton is still very fragile.
The most important thing in treatment is its continuity. It is impossible to remove the fixing devices without prior consultation with an orthopedist. An untreated disease can give a serious complication, such as dysplastic coxarthorosis, accompanied by pain, gait disorder, disability.
The child can not be put on his feet, without the appropriate permission of the orthopedist, even if the parents really want it, it can negate all the successes achieved in treatment.
If conservative treatment does not bring a positive result, a surgical operation is prescribed to set the femoral head.
Prevention of dysplasia
To prevent dysplasia and the normal development of all the joints of the child, doctors recommend using a wide swaddling of the child, or, in general, to abandon it.
It is impossible to use tight swaddling, when straightening the legs and tight pulling them with a diaper. Congenital hip dislocation is almost impossible to meet in countries where swaddling is not practiced.
In order for the child’s joints to develop correctly, their regular, adequate movement (physiological, the one that was provided by nature) is required when the child’s legs are separated and bent at the knees.
