Signs of hip dysplasia in newborns and babies
Written by Dr. Mutasem Aldhoon, pediatric orthopedic consultant · Medically reviewed by the Baby Hip Center pediatric orthopedic team · Last reviewed September 1, 2026
The signs to look for are uneven thigh or buttock creases, one leg that seems shorter, one hip that will not spread as far as the other when you change the nappy, and a deep clunk when the leg is moved. Later, at crawling and walking age, a limp, a waddle or toe-walking on one side are the signs. Many babies with hip dysplasia have no visible sign at all.
Hip dysplasia is quiet. It does not hurt in infancy, it does not delay most milestones, and a shallow socket often looks like nothing from the outside. That is why formal screening exists — but knowing the signs still matters, because the late-presenting cases are the ones a parent notices first.
In the first weeks
- Asymmetric skin creases on the thighs or buttocks — an extra crease, or creases at different heights.
- One leg that looks or measures shorter than the other when the knees are bent together.
- Limited abduction: one knee will not fall as far out to the side as the other during a nappy change.
- A deep clunk rather than a light click when the hip is moved.
- A bottom that looks flattened or wider on one side.
Uneven creases alone are common and usually harmless
Plenty of perfectly normal babies have asymmetric thigh creases. It is a reason for a look and, if there is any doubt or any risk factor, an ultrasound — not a diagnosis in itself.
From crawling to walking
| Sign | What it can indicate |
|---|---|
| Limp, or a rolling waddle when walking | One hip sitting out of the socket |
| Toe-walking on one side only | That leg is functionally longer, so the child compensates |
| A pronounced sway of the back when standing | Both hips involved |
| Reluctance to weight-bear on one leg | Needs prompt assessment — several causes, some urgent |
| Late or asymmetric crawling / pulling to stand | Sometimes normal variation, sometimes hip-related |
What to do if you have noticed something
- 1Photograph or video what you see — creases with your baby lying flat, and the leg spread on each side. Signs come and go, and a video removes the doubt.
- 2Ask for a hip examination specifically, mentioning what you noticed and any risk factors such as breech position or family history.
- 3Under six months, ask whether an ultrasound is indicated. Over six months, an X-ray is the appropriate test.
- 4If you are told it is nothing but you remain uneasy, ask for the finding to be documented and rechecked, or seek a second opinion on the images.
Parents notice a great many of the cases that screening misses. Raising something that turns out to be normal costs one appointment; not raising something real costs far more.
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Read next
- Is hip dysplasia painful for babies?
Untreated hip dysplasia is almost never painful in infancy — which is exactly why it gets missed. When pain does appear, and what it means.
- Diagnosed late: hip dysplasia found after 6 months
Screening does miss cases. What treatment looks like when dysplasia is found at 6, 12 or 18 months, and what the outlook is.
- How to get a second opinion on your baby's hips
What to bring, what to ask, and how to request a second opinion without damaging the relationship with your baby's own doctor.
This page is general information about developmental dysplasia of the hip, not a diagnosis of your own baby. It does not replace examination by your baby's doctor, and it is not for emergencies.