Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a problem with the way a baby's hip joint forms. The hip socket where the top of the leg should fit is shallow and the top of the leg may be completely, or partly, out of the socket. Sometimes the problem starts before the baby is born, and sometimes it happens after birth, as the child grows.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip is treated by an orthopedic (bone specialist) team. Your child had surgery for their developmental dysplasia of the hip. The surgeon put a cast on your child to hold the hip in place while it heals. Here's how to care for your child.

Follow the orthopedic team's instructions for:

• Giving your child any pain medicines. These may include prescription pain medicine, acetaminophen (Tylenol® or a store brand), or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Some prescription pain medicines also include acetaminophen or ibuprofen. To avoid giving too much, give the medicines exactly as your health care provider recommends.
• Any movements or changes in positions that you should do for your child.
• Any activities to avoid.
• When your child should follow up. Your child will need frequent checkups with your orthopedic team to make sure the hip is healing well.

For bathing:

Do not put your child in the bath or shower. Instead, give your child a sponge bath:

• Wet a sponge or washcloth with warm water and a little fragrance-free, gentle soap and wring until just damp.
• Starting with the face (avoid the eyes) and working down to the feet, wipe the skin with the sponge or washcloth. Take special care to avoid the cast.
• Rinse the sponge or washcloth with plain, warm water and wring until just damp. Wipe the skin again to remove any soap.
• Dry the skin with a clean towel.

Caring for the cast:

• Check the area around the cast every day. Make sure the skin is not red or scratched.
• Keep your child's cast dry:
  • Use leak-proof, disposable diapers and change them often.
  • If the cast gets splashed, gently blow air into it from a hair dryer on the cool setting.
• Do not use lotions, powders, or creams under the cast.
• Keep dirt and sand away from the cast.
• Don't let your child scratch under the cast or put anything in it. For itching, tap lightly on the cast or use a hair dryer on the cool setting to blow air in and around the edges.

Your child:

• Gets a fever
• Has pain that continues or gets worse while taking pain medicine
• Has red or raw skin around the cast

The cast:

• Seems too tight or too loose
• Gets damaged, very wet, or smells bad

Your child:

• Seems to be in severe pain
• Has a lot of swelling in the legs, toes, or feet
• Has blue or very pale toes or feet
• Can’t move the toes or feet

What happens if developmental dysplasia of the hip isn't treated? Without treatment, the hip joint will not grow normally. The top of the leg may not fit into the hip socket. This can lead to limping, uneven leg lengths, and hip arthritis at a young age.

How long does my baby need to wear the cast? Casts usually need to stay on for 3–4 months. After your surgeon removes the cast, your child might wear a softer, removable brace for 6–12 weeks.

Can developmental dysplasia of the hip run in families? Yes. The health care provider may recommend testing any children you have in the future. If they have developmental dysplasia of the hip, treatment can start right away.