Chart — Pediatrics
Pediatric Hip Disorders Comparison Chart
Three hip disorders, three age groups — and age is the discriminator. The infant has DDH, the school-age child has Perthes, the adolescent has SCFE. A child or teen with hip OR knee pain and a limp deserves a hip exam.
Educational use only. Diagnosis and treatment decisions belong to the orthopedic team; nursing care centers on assessment, mobility/device care, and teaching. This material supports nursing education and exam review. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional policy, or medical direction. Always follow facility protocols and current provider orders.
The Three Side by Side
| Disorder | Typical age | Presentation | Hallmark | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDH (developmental dysplasia) | Newborn / infant | Asymmetric thigh/gluteal folds, limited abduction, leg-length difference; positive Ortolani/Barlow | Unstable or dislocated hip with shallow acetabulum | Pavlik harness (<6 mo); closed reduction + spica cast; open reduction if older |
| Legg-Calvé-Perthes | ~4–8 years (boys more) | Painless or mild limp; hip/knee/thigh pain; limited abduction and internal rotation | Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (self-limited, revascularizes over time) | Contain the head: rest, limited weight-bearing, bracing/abduction; surgery in some |
| SCFE (slipped capital femoral epiphysis) | Adolescent (often overweight) | Hip/groin/KNEE pain, limp, externally rotated leg, decreased internal rotation | Femoral head slips off the neck at the physis — an orthopedic urgency | NON-weight-bearing immediately; surgical pinning (in-situ fixation) |
Exam Traps
- ✦Sort by age: infant = DDH, school-age = Legg-Calvé-Perthes, adolescent = SCFE.
- ✦DDH: asymmetric folds, limited abduction, Ortolani/Barlow; treat with the Pavlik harness early.
- ✦Perthes is avascular necrosis of the femoral head — it's self-limited; goal is to 'contain' the head while it revascularizes.
- ✦SCFE is an URGENCY: make the teen non-weight-bearing now; treated with surgical pinning.
- ✦Hip disorders refer pain to the KNEE — a child with knee pain and a limp needs the hip examined.
Related Resources
Standards & sources
Fact-checked Jun 21, 2026This page is written to align with American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) · CDC / ACIP (immunization schedule). It is an educational summary, not a citation of any single document — always verify specific doses, values, and protocols against current guidelines and your facility policy. How we source content →