Paediatric Orthopaedic Specialist
Hip dysplasia (daily care and activities)
Home Exercise Program
Not every exercise listed here is suitable for every child: the selection is individual and is defined during the consultation.
For whom: Care and play activities for hip dysplasia within the team’s instructions. Do not passively move the hips, test abduction or clicks, or adjust or remove the harness without permission. Tummy time only awake and supervised; sleep supine.
Dose and frequency: Perform only the exercises selected during the visit. The listed dosages are examples to adapt: follow the dose, frequency, rest and progression prescribed for age, symptoms and phase. Do not automatically perform the whole list.
Equipment and supervision: A stable, clear surface, an adult continuously present and an age-appropriate toy. The baby should be awake and calm; place them on their back for sleep. Follow the cast or harness programme.
Avoid: Forcing the head or a limb, persisting through crying or provoking joint clicks; Repeating manoeuvres not demonstrated with your baby; Changing straps, brace settings or wearing time without instructions; Forcing movements beyond baby's resistance; Performing mobilizations while baby is crying; Not maintaining correct position during diaper changes.
1.Hip-healthy swaddling
The chest may be wrapped, but the legs must stay free to move
Before the baby tries to roll, swaddle only if agreed with the treating clinician. Stop at the first sign of attempting to roll. Hips and knees must bend freely; do not bind the legs straight or compress the chest. Keep the head uncovered; avoid overheating and weighted products. For sleep: on the back, on a firm, clear surface without loose bedding. Swaddling does not change the harness instructions.
Only before attempts to roll, if agreed with the clinician.
2.Babywearing and seats: the M position
Age-appropriate equipment compatible with treatment and transport safety.
For a sling or carrier, choose an age-appropriate model supporting the thighs and allowing a comfortable hip position compatible with the brace; keep the face visible and airway clear. A car seat follows the manufacturer’s instructions: do not loosen its harness, add padding or change the hip brace to make it fit. If the braced child cannot be positioned correctly, ask the team about suitable transport equipment.
Check at every use of sling, carrier, car seat and pram
3.Spontaneous leg movement
Hand-guided movement is not a standard home treatment for hip dysplasia.
With the baby awake on a safe mat, allow free leg movement within the permitted positions. Do not perform passive cycling, pull the legs down or force extension. If a harness is in use, follow its schedule and settings; temporary removal requires instructions from the treating team.
Short periods of play suited to age and tolerance, following the harness restrictions.4.Observe movement without testing the hips
Comparing passive hip opening is a professional examination.
During care, observe whether the baby moves both legs spontaneously. Report a new reduction in movement, pain or persistent difficulty. Do not passively spread the knees to look for asymmetry or clicks and do not perform hip stability tests at home.
Observe during care; no repeated passive hip opening.
5.Tummy time and prone play
Supports overall motor development and hip extension mobility
Offer tummy time only while awake, continuously supervised and in positions compatible with hip treatment. The treating team must confirm how to do it if the harness is still in use. Do not remove or adjust the harness for this activity. For sleep, use the back position on a clear, flat surface.
Short sessions according to tolerance and the instructions received.
RED FLAGS - When to stop and contact the doctor immediately
Stop the exercises immediately and contact the specialist (or go to the emergency department if severe) if any of the following occur:
- Persistent crying, pain or resistance during handling: stop and contact the treating clinician.
- Fever, malaise, swelling or redness: seek prompt assessment.
- Sudden reduction of limb movement, cold or discoloured toes, or a compressive cast or harness: urgent assessment.
- Sudden head tilt, especially after injury or with fever, unusual eye movements or weakness: do not stretch and seek assessment.
In case of doubt, always prefer a check-up over continuing the exercises.
Dott. Daniele Priano
Paediatric Orthopaedics - ASST Gaetano Pini-CTO
Content version: 21 September 2026
ortopediaevolutiva.com • Printed: 18/10/2026
Full sheet and videoshttps://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/parents-kids/exercises/hip/hip-dysplasia
Prepare the visit handout
Use the condition and phase indicated by your clinician. You can leave out individual exercises; instructions, illustrations and safety advice remain together.
Exclude exercises if needed
5 of 5 exercise cards included
The full web page remains available. Your selection is not saved or shared.
Before You Start
Who is this guide for?
Care and play activities for hip dysplasia within the team’s instructions. Do not passively move the hips, test abduction or clicks, or adjust or remove the harness without permission. Tummy time only awake and supervised; sleep supine.
What you need
A stable, clear surface, an adult continuously present and an age-appropriate toy. The baby should be awake and calm; place them on their back for sleep. Follow the cast or harness programme.
Suggested frequency
Perform only the exercises selected during the visit. The listed dosages are examples to adapt: follow the dose, frequency, rest and progression prescribed for age, symptoms and phase. Do not automatically perform the whole list.
Common mistakes to avoid
- •Forcing the head or a limb, persisting through crying or provoking joint clicks
- •Repeating manoeuvres not demonstrated with your baby
- •Changing straps, brace settings or wearing time without instructions
- •Forcing movements beyond baby's resistance
- •Performing mobilizations while baby is crying
- •Not maintaining correct position during diaper changes
⚠️ Red flags — when to stop and contact the doctor immediately
Stop exercises immediately and contact the specialist if any of the following occur:
- Persistent crying, pain or resistance during handling: stop and contact the treating clinician.
- Fever, malaise, swelling or redness: seek prompt assessment.
- Sudden reduction of limb movement, cold or discoloured toes, or a compressive cast or harness: urgent assessment.
- Sudden head tilt, especially after injury or with fever, unusual eye movements or weakness: do not stretch and seek assessment.
Detailed Exercises
- 1
Hip-healthy swaddling
The chest may be wrapped, but the legs must stay free to move
Before the baby tries to roll, swaddle only if agreed with the treating clinician. Stop at the first sign of attempting to roll. Hips and knees must bend freely; do not bind the legs straight or compress the chest. Keep the head uncovered; avoid overheating and weighted products. For sleep: on the back, on a firm, clear surface without loose bedding. Swaddling does not change the harness instructions.
Only before attempts to roll, if agreed with the clinician. - 2
Babywearing and seats: the M position
Age-appropriate equipment compatible with treatment and transport safety.
For a sling or carrier, choose an age-appropriate model supporting the thighs and allowing a comfortable hip position compatible with the brace; keep the face visible and airway clear. A car seat follows the manufacturer’s instructions: do not loosen its harness, add padding or change the hip brace to make it fit. If the braced child cannot be positioned correctly, ask the team about suitable transport equipment.
Check at every use of sling, carrier, car seat and pram - 3
Spontaneous leg movement
Hand-guided movement is not a standard home treatment for hip dysplasia.
With the baby awake on a safe mat, allow free leg movement within the permitted positions. Do not perform passive cycling, pull the legs down or force extension. If a harness is in use, follow its schedule and settings; temporary removal requires instructions from the treating team.
Short periods of play suited to age and tolerance, following the harness restrictions.Spontaneous leg movement
Press Play to load the video. Follow the instructions and precautions on this exercise sheet.
Brief shared illustration of spontaneous leg movements while awake and lying on the back. Breaks from the harness only when authorised by the treating team; do not change its settings. No passive or forced movement and no therapeutic dose is shown.
- 4
Observe movement without testing the hips
Comparing passive hip opening is a professional examination.
During care, observe whether the baby moves both legs spontaneously. Report a new reduction in movement, pain or persistent difficulty. Do not passively spread the knees to look for asymmetry or clicks and do not perform hip stability tests at home.
Observe during care; no repeated passive hip opening. - 5
Tummy time and prone play
Supports overall motor development and hip extension mobility
Offer tummy time only while awake, continuously supervised and in positions compatible with hip treatment. The treating team must confirm how to do it if the harness is still in use. Do not remove or adjust the harness for this activity. For sleep, use the back position on a clear, flat surface.
Short sessions according to tolerance and the instructions received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do exercises treat hip dysplasia?
No. Dysplasia requires specialist treatment according to age and clinical findings. These activities concern care and play within the instructions received; they do not reduce or test the hip and do not replace bracing, follow-up or other prescribed treatment.
Who performs the hip ultrasound?
The hip ultrasound is performed by the radiologist. Dr. Priano handles the clinical assessment, prescription and orthopaedic management of treatment, interpreting the reports within the care pathway.