Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is a hip socket that does not completely cover the ball area of the upper thighbone.
The main cause of this condition happens when the soft cartilage that slowly hardens into bone in the ball and socket must fit together, but if the ball is not connected firmly enough in the socket, the socket will completely form around the ball and it will become too shallow. Risk factors associated with this condition are: higher in babies born in the breech position, huge babies and babies that have foot deformities.
Signs and symptoms of this condition include: one hip may be less flexible than the other, one leg may be longer than the other leg, you may notice a limp when the child starts to walk, and activity-related pain in the groin area.
There are no labs for this condition.
In many cases, there is no treatment necessary. If treatment is necessary the child will wear a harness to hold the hip joint in place or surgery may be needed in severe cases to move the joint back in place.
Nursing interventions for this condition include: administer prescribed medications, protect joint from further injury, provide rest, elevate limb in a comfortable position, provide family support, educate family on information of condition, demonstration the adaption for a patient in a cast, encourage the patient to limit mobility, promote good hand hygiene, assess skin color, temperature, encourage a high protein diet.
Nursing diagnoses for this condition include: acute pain R/T dislocation, impaired physical mobility R/T pain during mobilization, disturbed body image R/T changes in body shape, risk for infection R/T broken skin, and deficient knowledge R/T lack of information.
Long term joint problems is the long term effect for this condition.