What is developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)?
DDH is a condition where the hip joint has not formed properly: the socket is too shallow, or the ball at the top of the thigh bone is loose or out of the socket. It is not painful for babies and is often invisible from the outside, which is why it is screened for. Found early, it is very treatable.
Why might my baby need a hip ultrasound?
A hip scan is recommended when there is a higher chance of DDH, most commonly:
- Your baby was in a breech position late in pregnancy or at birth
- A parent, brother or sister had hip problems as a baby
- A click, clunk or looseness was found at the newborn or six-week check
- Uneven thigh creases or one leg appearing shorter
Many parents also book simply for peace of mind.
What is the right age for a baby hip scan?
Ideally between four and six weeks old, and certainly before four to six months. By then normal newborn looseness has settled, but the socket is still cartilage that ultrasound can see clearly, and treatment works best. In the NHS, babies with risk factors are usually offered a scan by around six weeks.
How does a baby hip ultrasound work?
Your baby lies on their side while a small probe rests over the hip. Using the Graf method, the specialist measures the angles of the socket and how well the ball sits in it, then gently checks the hip’s stability. Each hip is classified against a standard grading scale, which tells you whether it is mature, needs a re-check or needs treatment.
Is a hip ultrasound safe for my baby?
Yes. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and has been used for baby hip screening for decades. It is the recommended test for young babies precisely because it is so gentle, and it can be repeated as often as follow-up needs.
Will the scan hurt or upset my baby?
No, it does not hurt. Some babies are unsettled by having their nappy loosened or by lying on their side, and a few cry for a minute, which is completely normal and does not affect the scan. Feeding beforehand, a dummy or a cuddle in between usually helps, and we work at your baby’s pace.
How should I prepare my baby for the scan?
Try to feed your baby shortly before the appointment so they are settled, and dress them in clothes that are easy to undo at the nappy. Bring a spare nappy, a muslin and your baby’s red book or newborn check notes if you have them.
How long does a baby hip scan take?
The scan itself usually takes ten to fifteen minutes. Allow around half an hour for the appointment, so there is time to settle your baby and to talk through the results.
What do the baby hip scan results mean?
Each hip is graded with the Graf classification:
- Type I: a mature, normal hip
- Type IIa: a hip that is immature but normal for a baby under about twelve weeks, usually just re-checked
- Type IIb to IV: increasing degrees of dysplasia or instability, which need specialist review
Your specialist tells you exactly which type each hip is and what happens next.
What happens if DDH is found?
Found early, DDH is one of paediatrics’ success stories. Most affected hips are treated with a Pavlik harness, a soft fabric brace worn for some weeks, and go on to develop normally. The scan’s grading tells the orthopaedic team exactly what is needed, and we arrange the referral promptly, with the report in hand.
Do clicky hips mean my baby has DDH?
Usually not. Many newborn hips click as ligaments move, and most clicks are harmless. A clunk, where the hip moves in and out of the socket, is more significant. Because they can be hard to tell apart by examination alone, a scan is the simplest way to be sure.
Do all babies have a hip scan?
No. Every baby has their hips examined by hand at the newborn check and again at six to eight weeks, but in the NHS only babies with risk factors, such as a breech position or a family history, or a concern at the examination, are offered an ultrasound. Many parents choose a private scan for certainty when their baby falls just outside those criteria.
Can hip dysplasia be missed on ultrasound?
Ultrasound is the most reliable way to check a young baby’s hips, far more sensitive than examination alone. Very early scans, in the first couple of weeks, can show normal immaturity that is hard to interpret, which is why four to six weeks is ideal. If anything is borderline, your specialist will recommend a follow-up scan rather than guess.
Can my baby’s hips be checked if we miss the early window?
Yes. Ultrasound remains useful up to around four to six months, while much of the hip is still cartilage. After that the bone has developed enough that an X-ray becomes the better test. If your baby is older, call us and we will advise which is right.
How much does a private baby hip ultrasound cost?
At Harley Street Ultrasound a private baby hip ultrasound costs £350, all fees inclusive: the scan of both hips, the specialist’s time and your written report. Same-day or next-day appointments are usually available, with the results explained before you leave.
What if you find something?
Your specialist tells you in the room, in plain English, and explains exactly what it means. You will never be sent home to wait for a letter. Most findings are benign and need nothing more than a sensible review date.
Anything that does need attention gets a clear, objective recommendation in your report: monitor, test further, or refer. Follow-up tests can usually be arranged at 99 Harley Street, often the same week, and those results are also explained to you personally.
Do I need a referral?
No. Harley Street Ultrasound is a private clinic, so you can book a baby hip ultrasound in London directly online or by phone. No GP letter, no waiting list, and same-day or next-day appointments are usually available. If you are searching for a baby hip ultrasound near me from anywhere in central London, we are at 99 Harley Street, a short walk from Regent’s Park and Oxford Circus stations.
If you are wondering how much a private baby hip ultrasound costs, the answer is published before you book: £350, all fees inclusive: the examination, the specialist’s time, your written report and your images. Insured patients should bring a referral or authorisation number if their policy requires one.
How soon will I have the written report?
Usually the same day: a Harley Street baby hip ultrasound comes with same-day results as standard, and you will already know the findings, because they are explained to you on screen during the appointment.
The written report is prepared by the specialist team and published to your secure patient portal together with your images, with measurements and a clear recommendation, ready to share with your GP or specialist.
What happens after the scan?
Nothing special: there is no aftercare. Your child can feed, eat, play and go back to nursery or school straight away. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, so it can be repeated safely whenever follow-up is needed. If the results suggest a next step, your specialist explains it to you before you leave.
Can I still use the NHS afterwards?
Yes: completely. Coming to us privately never affects your NHS care. Our job is to get you answers quickly; if anything needs urgent attention, your specialist writes to your NHS GP recommending an urgent appointment, so you re-enter the NHS pathway with a diagnosis already in hand rather than joining the queue from the start.
