The hip is where the thigh bone and pelvis meet. The thigh bone
has a ball-shaped top. This ball fits into a cup shape area on
the pelvis. Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a
problem with how these bones fit together. The exact problem can
vary between children but may include: - Ball of the thigh is
loose inside the cup of the pelvis—makes the hip unstable - Ball
moves easily out of the cup—causing a dislocation of the hip -
Ball and cup do not meet at all - The cup is improperly shaped
The Hip Joint Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. The exact
cause of DDH is not known. Some factors that may play a role
include: - How the baby is positioned in the womb - Maternal
hormones Certain carrying or wrapping techniques may also affect
the growth of the hip, especially methods that have the child
tightly bound in a position with the hips straight out and
turned in. Factors that may increase your baby’s chance of
developing DDH include: - Family history of DDH - Breech birth
(feet first), especially in