Congenital Hip Dysplasia Misdiagnosis & Negligence Claims.

The exact cause of congenital hip dysplasia is generally unknown. However, there are a number of factors that may contribute to the likelihood of a baby being born with the condition, including:

• A baby born in breech position
• Not enough room in the womb, which can put pressure on the baby’s hip
• Family history of hip dysplasia or other hip problems
• Low levels of amniotic fluid during birth
• First born children, in particular girls, are also thought to be at greater risk

All babies should be routinely screened for hip dysplasia shortly after birth, especially if any of the above risk factors apply. If your baby was not screened adequately and it has resulted in complications such as arthritis, you could be entitled to claim clinical negligence compensation for them. Speak to our experienced and friendly solicitors today who will be happy to offer advice and answer any questions you may have.

When a baby is born, it is the responsibility of the doctor or midwife in charge of their care to perform several examinations to check for hip dysplasia. This will usually involve manipulating the baby’s legs to assess how they feel and move. If the doctor suspects the baby has hip dysplasia, they will then be referred for an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis, which usually happens when the baby is around four to six weeks old.

If the hip dysplasia was not recognised at birth, the child may begin to exhibit the following symptoms and behaviours as they grow and develop:

• Unable to sit up unaided
• Dragging one leg behind them when crawling
• Learning to walk late
• Walking with a limp
• Appearing very unstable when walking
• Difficulty ascending and descending stairs
• One leg longer than the other
• Asymmetrical thigh creases
• Restricted movement in one or both hips
• An abnormal manner of walking

Hip dysplasia can affect one or both hips, but most often it is the left hip which is affected. It may be noticeable during nappy changes as you may find you’re unable to move one leg out as far as the other, or there may be restrictions in both legs. If you notice any of the above signs in your baby it is important to seek medical advice as soon as possible for the best chance at recovery.

The doctors and midwives looking after newborn babies have a duty of care to carry out a number of assessments within the first few days of the baby’s life, one of which is to check for congenital hip dysplasia. Early diagnosis of the condition is essential in ensuring the best possible prognosis for the child by providing effective treatment before the condition worsens.

Failure to diagnose hip dysplasia can lead to a delay in treatment, and can lead to a number of potential complications for your child as they grow and develop, including:

• Problems with mobility and agility
• Chronic long-term pain
• Osteoarthritis affecting the hip and back
• Bone-related problems later in life

A late diagnosis may also mean that the damage to the hip joint is irreparable, and surgery may be necessary in order to relieve the symptoms, which could have been avoided if the condition was picked up during the newborn checks. Some people with undiagnosed hip dysplasia may also require ongoing physiotherapy and the use of walking aids such as a wheelchair or a walking stick for the rest of their lives.

If your child’s hip dysplasia was undiagnosed or misdiagnosed during their newborn checks, and they have gone on to suffer with complications, you may be able to make a claim for medical negligence compensation. Speak to our friendly and knowledgeable team of clinical negligence solicitors today, who will be happy to discuss your case and answer any questions you may have.

There are several different ways in which hip dysplasia can be treated, and the course of treatment is usually determined by the severity of the condition and how early it was diagnosed. If the condition is identified early, a Pavlik harness is usually an effective and relatively simple treatment option. It involves the use of a fabric splint which keeps the baby’s hips in a stable position and is usually worn for several weeks in order to allow the hips time to develop normally.

If the hip dysplasia is diagnosed after six months, or if the Pavlik harness has been ineffective, it may be necessary to carry out reductive surgery. This consists of putting the femoral head back into the hip socket and can be done via either closed reduction or open reduction surgery. During open reduction surgery, the surgeon makes a large surgical incision in order to realign the femoral head, whereas in a closed reduction the surgeon performs the procedure without making a large incision. Recovery time is usually up to 12 weeks, during which time a cast may need to be worn to ensure the hip heals correctly.

If your baby’s hip dysplasia was missed, or their corrective surgery did not go to plan due to medical negligence, please get in touch to find out how we can help you to claim the compensation you and your child deserve.