Finding the right tests…
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Finding the right tests…
X-Ray
Both hips, each captured from the front and the side, get imaged together for two different groups of patients. In an infant or young child, this is the standard way to screen for developmental hip dysplasia, since doctors compare the shape and position of both hip sockets side by side using standard measurements; a single hip alone wouldn't give that comparison. In an older adult after a fall, both hips are sometimes imaged when it isn't clear which side is fractured, or when a doctor wants to compare an injured hip directly against the normal one. Because this view sits close to the pelvis, tell your doctor beforehand if you are or might be pregnant.
Each hip gets its own AP and lateral pair, four images read together. In infants, specific reference lines and angles are measured and compared between the two hip sockets; in an older adult after a fall, the two hips are compared directly for a fracture line, alignment, or a shift in the joint.
Developmental dysplasia of the hip, where a hip socket hasn't formed or positioned itself normally, is typically confirmed by imaging both hips together on one film, generally once an infant is a few months old and the growth centres in the hip have started to ossify. Radiologists use standard reference lines and angles, compared between the two sides, to judge whether the hip socket is developing normally.
Hip fractures are common after a fall in older adults, and standard imaging for a suspected fracture is usually an X-ray of the pelvis together with a focused view of the affected hip. Occasionally both hips are imaged and compared directly, particularly when pain or exam findings don't clearly point to just one side.
This view sits close to the pelvis and reproductive organs, so it's routinely flagged as an area where a pregnant patient's exposure needs extra thought. Tell your doctor and the technologist if you are or might be pregnant so they can decide on timing or protective measures together with you.
Developmental hip dysplasia is diagnosed by comparing both hip sockets side by side using standard reference measurements, so both hips are imaged together as the standard approach rather than just one.
X-ray becomes more useful once the growth centres in the hip start to ossify, generally by around four to six months of age. Ultrasound is typically used for younger infants instead.
Sometimes it isn't clear from the exam alone which hip is actually fractured, so comparing both directly can help confirm the diagnosis, especially in a confusing or borderline case.
This page is general information about the test, not medical advice. Your own report's reference ranges apply — please discuss your results with your doctor.
Tell your doctor and the technologist beforehand, since this view sits close to the pelvis and reproductive organs. They'll discuss timing, shielding, or alternative imaging with you directly.
Outcomes are generally better the earlier it's caught, and many cases respond well to treatment started in infancy. Your doctor will explain what your baby's specific findings mean.
A fracture shows as a break in the bone itself, while a dislocation shows the ball of the hip joint sitting outside its normal socket. Both are visible on this X-ray, and your doctor will explain which applies to you.
Yes, brief stillness is needed for a clear image, and staff are experienced in positioning infants quickly and safely. You may be asked to help hold or comfort your baby during the process.