Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is when the ball shaped part of the end of the thighbone and the socket do not fit correctly together. There are varying levels of hip dysplasia, from mild to severe.
If the ball (femoral head) is not held correctly in place, the socket (acetabulum) may be more shallow than usual. Sometimes this makes the joint less stable and the ball may slide in and out of the socket. This is called a dislocatable or ‘subluxatable’ hip. If the ball loses contact with the socket and stays outside the joint it is called a dislocated hip. One or both hips may be affected.

Sarah’s Hip Dysplasia never fully recovered after treatment during her childhood. Unfortunately, many adolescents with hip dysplasia that was treated in childhood often have abnormalities of the socket and the ball - the acetabulum and the femoral head. When symptomatic or when getting worse, this generally requires surgery to correct both the acetabulum and the femoral head abnormalities.