hand • Creases on the sides of the groin do not match. • Child limps. • Child waddles. HOME CARE • None. See your doctor. PRECAUTIONS • Dislocation of the hip is a disabling condition if not treated early and properly. • Be sure that your baby's hips are carefully examined during regular visits to the doctor until the child is older than one year. • If your child's legs are not the same (in length, size, shape, position, or movement), tell your doctor. Dislocation of the hip occurs when the thigh bone is out of its proper place in the hip socket. Before or after birth, a baby's hip socket may develop too shallowly. Eventually, the femur (thigh bone) becomes dislocated from the socket, either before or at the time when the child begins to stand and walk. The condition may occur on one side or on both sides. The cause is not certain; in some cases the condition seems to be inherited, while in others the problem seems to have been caused by an abnormal position of the infant's legs while still in the uterus. If improper development of the hip socket is not diagnosed until after dislocation has occurred, correcting the problem will be more difficult. If it is not corrected before the child walks, the child will limp (if only one hip is dislocated) or waddle (if both hips are dislocated). SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS If only one hip is dislocated, parents may notice that the infant moves one leg more than the other. The folds of the buttocks or the creases on the sides of the groin may not match. A child who is already walking may limp or waddle. A baby's hips should be examined at birth and again at regular intervals so that dislocation of the hips can be detected early. HOME CARE There is no home treatment until the condition has been identified bv a doctor. Dislocation of the hip is a disabling condition if not treated early and properly. If you see any signs of hip problems, see your doctor as soon as possible. PRECAUTIONS • Be sure that your baby is thoroughly examined (while completely undressed) at regular "wellbaby" visits to the doctor. Your doctor should examine the hips at each visit until the baby is older than one year. • If the child's legs are not the same (in size, shape, position, or movement), tell your doctor. MEDICAL TREATMENT Your baby should be carefully examined for dislocated hips during each checkup. A doctor will suspect dislocation if any of the early signs and symptoms appear. The doctor will then check the ability of the thighs to be rotated outward. The doctor will also listen for the "clunking" sound that a dislocated hip makes when put through a certain series of movements. Your doctor will order an xray examination of both hips if the disorder is suspected. The diagnosis is not usually made at birth, but the condition becomes more obvious with the passing months. As soon as the diagnosis has been made, you should consult an orthopedic specialist. fifth