Asymmetry

Asymmetrical buttock creases can suggest hip dysplasia in infants but, like a hip click, an ultrasound or x-ray study will need to be done to determine whether the hips are normal or not.

Asymmetrical gluteal creases may be a sign of hip dysplasia in one hip. Thigh folds (seperate from gluteal folds) that are asymmetrical rarely indicate hip dysplasia unless they are associated with uneven gluteal creases.

Asymmetrical Gluteal Creases - Possible Sign of Hip Dysplasia

This baby's gluteal creases are uneven (note yellow lines). The right gluteal crease is lower than the left.

Asymmetrical thigh creases may be a sign of hip dysplasia.

This baby's gluteal creases are even (note the green lines). However this baby's thigh creases are uneven (note the yellow lines). The left thigh is smooth but the right thigh presents with two creases.

When a baby’s hip dislocation is present for several months, the hips gradually lose range of motion and the leg appears shorter because the hip has migrated upward.