Hip Ultrasound: When to Do It and What Does the Test Look Like? Get the Expert's Opinion!

The first months of a baby's life are a time of intensive development, but also a key moment to detect any health irregularities. One of the screening tests that is worth doing in infants is a hip ultrasound.

Parents often ask themselves: Which specialist should I register with, what is the name of the pediatric hip doctor? When is the best time to do the first hip ultrasound, and when is the second, is the test mandatory? How to prepare for an ultrasound of the hip joints in infants, what to bring with you?

In this article, we present the most important information about hip ultrasound.

What is a hip ultrasound in infants and why is it so important?

Ultrasound of hip joints in infants (often referred to as briefly “Hip ultrasound”), that non-invasive, painless ultrasound examination that allows you to assess the proper development of structures in the hip joint. In the first months of life, the hip joints of an infant are delicate and unstable due to the physiological immaturity of various anatomical elements. However, some infants experience underdevelopment of the hip joints – so-called developmental dysplasia of the hip joints.

Ultrasound of hip joints in infants is a screening test that allows early diagnosis and implementation of treatment hip dysplasia.

Hip Ultrasound in Infants: Is It Mandatory?

Ultrasound of hips in infants it is not a mandatory test, however, it is a detailed supplement to the medical examination. During a physical examination in the neonatal ward, the neonatologist examines the baby, including assessing its hips, already in the first days after birth. If any abnormalities are detected, the doctor will recommend performing  hip ultrasound in your baby sooner than general recommendations suggest. 

Ultrasound screening of hip joints as part of the National Health Fund as a preventive measure it is worth doing for every infant, because it gives parents greater confidence that their baby's hips are developing properly. 

Specific indications for performing ultrasound of the hip joints in infants:

In the event of risk factors, such as: incorrect positioning of the baby in the uterus, family history of dysplasia, breech delivery, or other congenital defects of the musculoskeletal system, an ultrasound examination of the hips may be recommended by the doctor as early as the first week of the baby's life.

Hip ultrasound – when is the best time? conduct the first examination?

Parents often ask doctors when is the best time to do an ultrasound of the hips in infants? It is recommended to carry out the first examination around 6 weeks of the baby's life. At this time, the hip joints are already developed enough for the examination to be reliable. Due to the high risk of diagnostic errors, it is not recommended to perform hip ultrasound in infants before the 4th week of life.

To sum up: when is the best time to have a hip ultrasound? Some sources say 4–8 week interval as the optimal time for this test, but the most commonly recommended date is around 6 weeks of age.

Pediatric hip doctor – what is his name and when should you see him?

Parents often hear the term "preluxation clinic" and hip ultrasound and often ask the question on the Internet: what is the name of the doctor who specializes in children's hips? pediatric orthopedist, a specialist in diagnosing and treating orthopedic problems, including those related to the hip joints. The orthopedist performs an ultrasound examination of the hips in infants preluxation clinic.

What does a hip ultrasound look like in a child and how to prepare for the examination?

You already know when is the best time to have a hip ultrasound done and what is the name of the pediatric hip doctor, but another question that may be troubling you is the course of the examination itself.

Preparing your child for a hip ultrasound scan is very simple:

• Dress your baby in loose outfit, which can be easily removed/unfastened at the lower part of the body to allow free access to the area being examined.   
• Take it changing set (pad, diaper, diaper cream), a cotton diaper and clean clothes, just in case.
• As far as possible, feed the baby about 30 minutes before the test to ensure a calm environment.
• You can take it with you favorite toy and/or pacifier.

The examination usually lasts a few to a dozen minutes, the parent can stay with the child the entire time. After the examination, the doctor will recommend any necessary check-ups and further treatment, if necessary. 

When is the second hip ultrasound necessary?

Not every baby needs to undergo a repeat hip ultrasound, but if necessary, the decision on when to perform a second hip ultrasound is made by the doctor based on the results of the first examination:

• Correct result (type I according to Graf's scale) – usually does not require monitoring.
• Physiological immaturity of the hips (type IIa and IIb up to 12 weeks of age) – check-up necessary after a few weeks.
• Hip dysplasia (type IIc, III, IV according to the Graf scale) – regular check-ups are necessary (the frequency of these tests will be determined by the orthopedist) and orthopedic treatment, individually selected by the doctor.

To sum up, the decision on when to perform the second hip ultrasound will be made by the doctor, and the next one, free visit You can register immediately, also at the pre-luxation clinic.

Ultrasound of hip joints in infants - what you need to know!

The difference between dysplasia and physiological immaturity

Physiological immaturity of the hips often does not require treatment, but only proper care. Dysplasia, on the other hand, is a clinical situation that requires treatment, preferably as early as possible.

Prevention in case of immaturity 

If your child is diagnosed with physiological immaturity, provide him/her with maximum freedom of movement. Avoid too tight clothes, tights, leggings and too tightly fastened diapers. Ensure a variety of movement experiences, place the child on its tummy several times a day, e.g. in the so-called frog position, avoid the child staying in loungers/rockers for long periods of time.

Wide diapering is not currently recommended as effective in cases of physiological immaturity of the hip joint in children.

Child care supporting physiological development of the hips: 

• When changing the diaper, do not pull the baby by the legs, but support him under the bottom.
• During daily care, avoid situations where the child's knees are together and the feet are far apart. 
• Do not use tight swaddling, do not wrap your baby in a so-called swaddle with straight legs.

We hope that this article has comprehensively explained the issue of hip ultrasound screening in infants: what such a test looks like, whether it is mandatory, and when is the best time to do it. Remember that Early detection of any abnormalities provides the greatest chance for effective treatment.

Don't hesitate to ask your pediatrician, orthopedist or pediatric physiotherapist questions - they are the best source of information for your child's individual situation.