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Hip Dysplasia, sometimes referred to as DDH (Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip), is a relatively common abnormality in the shape of the hip joint. This abnormality originates at birth or in early childhood. DDH is the most common developmental hip deformity causing symptoms in adults and is also the most common single cause of osteoarthritis in the hip. In its most frequent form, hip dysplasia consists of a shallow acetabulum (hip socket). The shallowness of the acetabulum causes the head of the femur to exert excessive pressure on the rim of the acetabulum.
The risk factors for developmental dislocation of the hip and hip instability include anything that involves stretching the hip ligaments, or causes a baby's legs and hips to be positioned so as to point the femoral head out of the acetabulum. Specific risk factors for DDH include the following:
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