When you think about joint replacement surgery, you typically think about the older population and those suffering from arthritis. Unfortunately, joint replacement is not limited to this portion of people. There are many pediatric disorders that can result in a child needing joint replacement at a very young age. One such disorder is called Pediatric Hip Dysplasia. This term is used to describe a child who has had a problem with the formation of their hips. Hip Dysplasia can affect either the ball portion of the hip, the socket portion or in the worst cases, both.

Pediatric Hip Dysplasia basically describes a hip joint that has a difficult time staying in the proper position. The ball and socket can become easily separated causing an array of other issues, not to mention pain. Hip Dysplasia is usually diagnosed early after birth. If it is diagnosed early, doctors will put the baby into what is called a Pavlik Harness to attempt to keep the joint in place while the child grows. Many times, this will correct the problem and the child will live a normal, healthy life.

In some children, the harness is not enough and they continue to have problems as they grow. Chronic Hip Dysplasia can cause early onset of arthritis in the joint and result in a child needing a hip replacement at a very young age. While hip replacement is possible, doctors try to avoid it at all costs. Since most of the products on the market for hip replacement are meant for adults, it can be difficult to get an implant that is small enough. Some doctors have even been known to utilize shoulder implants in pediatric hips. Since the joints work similarly and the shoulder is smaller than the hip, this is often a successful option. The child will eventually need revisions as they grow and develop but can drastically improve their lifestyle.