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Hip Dysplasia Compensation
A delay in making a diagnosis hip dysplasia can have serious long-term consequences and is a frequent reason for litigation. Although this condition is often referred to as congenital, a more accurate term is developmental dysplasia of the hip as it is not always present at birth. Because of this any doctor of nurse responsible for continuing health supervision in infancy should take every opportunity to check the hips even if the initial examination after birth was normal, until the child is walking. All babies should be checked for hip dysplasia ("clicking hips") soon after birth as a delay in diagnosis can make treatment more complicated and lead to permanent disability.
What is hip dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia describes an abnormal development of the ball of the thigh bone and socket of the hip. The condition can range from mild to severe. In the worst cases the head of the femur (thigh bone) is completely displaced from the pelvic socket. The condition is referred to as congenital but is not always present at birth.
What are the risk factors for hip dysplasia?
Recent estimates state that around 1 in 1000 babies will develop dysplasia of the hip. There are various risk factors, including a breech delivery (where the baby's feet are delivered first), a first pregnancy and a family history of the condition.
What is the treatment for hip dysplasia?
Once an infant is diagnosed with hip dysplasia the form of treatment varies according to the severity of the condition which often depends on when the problem is diagnosed. In milder cases, a splint may be applied and the infant's progress will be closely monitored. In some cases, the baby will received no treatment but will be watched closely.
In more severe cases, such as complete dislocation of the femur, it is likely that the infant will need to undergo surgery to realign the joint.
How is hip dysplasia diagnosed?
The baby will be examined shortly after birth. The doctor will manipulate the leg and a "clunk" sound may indicate hip dysplasia. The doctor will also look for visible signs which may suggest hip dysplasia such as a disparity between the folds of the skin on the left and right sides of the hip, and a longer femur on one side.
NIPE offer the opportunity for parents to have their baby examined again at 6 to 8 weeks. This is normally carried out by a GP. For further information on this service, see: http://newbornphysical.screening.nhs.uk/
What must I prove in order to establish medical negligence if I or my child has hip dysplasia?
If a baby is diagnosed with hip dysplasia within six months of birth then the prospects of a successful outcome are excellent. Medical negligence cases are mainly brought on the basis of a delay in diagnosis of hip dysplasia, although some are brought on the basis that the treatment offered was inadequate.
In order to prove medical negligence, a claimant must establish that there has been both substandard care and that the substandard care has resulted in a worse outcome for the patient.
Our clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in representing patients with hip dysplasia who have suffered injury as a result of medical negligence. For a free initial consultation get in touch on 0800 054 6512 or complete our enquiry form.
