International Hip Dysplasia Institute
The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) is a collaborative, international, not-for-profit effort to improve the health and quality of life of those affected by hip dysplasia. Our goal is to provide education to patients, families, and physicians as the most comprehensive and reliable resource for knowledge about hip dysplasia in its various forms.
What is Hip Dysplasia?
Hip Dysplasia means that the bones of the hip joint are not aligned correctly. It affects thousands of children and adults each year and is known by many different names:
- Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH)
- Hip Dislocation
- Congenital Dislocation of the Hip (CDH)
- Loose Hips
Hip Dysplasia prevents the hip joint from functioning properly and the joint wears out much faster than normal, much like a car's tires will wear out faster when out of alignment. It is also a "silent" condition that means pain is not normally felt until much later stages, making it harder to detect.
Hip Dysplasia in children (DDH) - is commonly referred to as Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH), approximately 1 out of every 20 full-term babies has some hip instability and 2-3 out of every 1,000 infants will require treatment. In spite of the frequency of DDH in babies and the potential for life-long disability caused by DDH, the awareness of this condition is poor outside of the medical profession.
Early diagnosis, prevention, and simple treatment is the best solution, however many hip dislocations are difficult to treat with the current methods of care.
Hip Dysplasia in adults - is the most common cause of hip arthritis. A 2008 study from Norway showed that more than 90% of these young adult cases cannot be diagnosed in childhood by current methods of screening. This suggests that new methods for prevention or early detection need to be developed. Research by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute with support from Larry the Cable Guy is aimed towards finding solutions for this problem of hidden hip dysplasia.
Larry the Cable Guy is committed to helping solve the problems of hip dysplasia by bringing attention to the need for research, education, and for new treatment solutions in the USA and around the World. We are proud to have Larry as our spokesperson and major sponsor.