Which statement about signs of developmental dysplasia of the hip is accurate?

• A. Thigh folds
• B. Laxity of the hip joint
• C. Both thigh folds and laxity
• D. None of the above

Answer: (C)

Developmental dysplasia of the hip shows up as instability of the hip joint in infancy. Two practical clinical signs you can notice are asymmetry in the thigh folds and increased looseness (laxity) of the hip itself. Uneven thigh folds occur because the dislocated or partially dislocated femoral head changes how the soft tissues fold around the thigh, making one side look different from the other. Hip laxity means the joint is more mobile than normal, so the hip can move more easily out of place or feel unusually loose on exam. When both signs are present, they collectively point to instability at the hip, which is characteristic of DDH. This is why choosing both signs best reflects what clinicians look for in early DDH screening.