Led by Dr. Francois Lalonde, our orthopaedic team provides consultations and treatment for hip problems of any complexity, including developmental hip dislocation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, impingement, trauma, infection, overuse and hip conditions in children with cerebral palsy and spina bifida. Our pediatric-trained orthopaedic surgeons offer expertise in adolescent conditions requiring hip reconstructive and joint preservation surgery to prevent premature osteoarthritis.
What We Treat
A hip condition or injury in childhood can lead to problems later in life, so it’s best to correct all aspects of a problem as early as possible. We treat a variety of conditions, including:
• Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and adolescent hip dysplasia
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
• Proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD)
• Labral tears
• Hip trauma and infection
• Hip conditions in children with cerebral palsy and spina bifida
Newborn Hip Screenings
Newborns are at risk for hip dysplasia or dislocation, particularly if a baby is born breech or has a family history of the condition. We recommend early screenings to identify dysplasia as soon as possible and begin treatment. We offer a comprehensive newborn screening, including a physical exam and ultrasound by three months of age and hip X-rays by six months of age. Pediatricians who see a baby with hip laxity, clicking, tight hip adductors/abductors or asymmetrical thigh folds may also refer into our program for further screening and treatment. Learn more about our treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip.
To make an appointment with a hip specialist at the CHOC Children’s Orthopaedic Institute, please call (888) 770-2462 and press 2 for specialty care clinics.