Hip Surveillance for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Early detection for better movement and comfort

At The Brain & Performance Centre, we believe early identification and the right treatment make all the difference.
Our Hip Surveillance Programme helps detect early changes in your child’s hips and joints – reducing pain, improving mobility, and preventing hip dislocation.

Why is Hip Surveillance Important?

Prevent pain before it starts:

Research shows that children in hip surveillance programmes experience:

Fewer hip dislocations
Better posture and movement
Fewer major surgeries

Our DHA-licensed advanced paediatric physiotherapist will:

Assess posture, movement, and flexibility
Check hip movement and muscle tone
Review pain or mobility changes
Recommend X-rays if needed

X-rays are done in-house and reviewed by our radiology department

“Early Detection Means Easier Movement and Less Pain.”

Schedule an appointment with one of our client ambassadors.

Understanding Cerebral Palsy

In cerebral palsy, movement and posture are affected due to a disturbance in the developing brain – usually before the age of two. Each child’s experience is unique – from mild challenges to ongoing mobility support.

Children with CP may show:

Tight or weak muscles
Difficulty walking, standing, or sitting
Muscle shortening (contractures)
Curved spine (scoliosis)

Early physiotherapy, stretching, positioning, and guided treatment can help prevent joint problems and keep your child moving comfortably.

What is Hip Surveillance?

Hip surveillance is a structured and evidence-based process used to monitor hip development in children with Cerebral Palsy.

Children with CP may be at increased risk of progressive hip displacement due to muscle imbalance and altered movement patterns. Regular clinical assessment and hip X-rays help identify changes early, often before pain or functional difficulties develop.

Hip surveillance allows clinicians to monitor hip health over time and guide appropriate management when needed.

Why Early Monitoring Matters

Early monitoring helps support better long-term outcomes for children with Cerebral Palsy.

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Early Detection

Identifying hip changes before symptoms become noticeable.

Better Comfort & Mobility

Supporting standing, walking, positioning, and everyday movement.

Timely Intervention

Helping guide therapy, orthopaedic management, and clinical decision-making.

Ongoing Monitoring

Tracking changes over time through structured assessment and imaging

What makes our assessment different?

A Structured and Comprehensive Assessment Approach

Our hip surveillance assessment is designed to provide a detailed understanding of a child’s hip health and musculoskeletal risk using a structured and evidence-based approach aligned with international best practice.

The assessment begins with a detailed discussion with parents to understand the child’s medical history, mobility, previous interventions, and current concerns.

A comprehensive lower limb joint assessment is then performed using standardized goniometric measurements consistent with approaches used within established UK Cerebral Palsy Integrated Pathway (CPIP) services.

The assessment includes:

Standardized clinical outcome measures

Lower limb joint assessment using goniometric measurements
Hip X-ray review and interpretation
Migration percentage measurement
Hip shaft angle analysis
Risk identification and monitoring recommendations

Following the assessment, families receive guidance regarding:

Current hip status and findings
Recommended follow-up timelines
Ongoing surveillance requirements
Whether orthopaedic referral may be indicated

A detailed hip surveillance report is completed and shared with the referring clinician, which may include the child’s neurologist, paediatrician, orthopaedic specialist, rehabilitation physician, or physiotherapist.

Our Hip Surveillance Process

Structured Monitoring Beyond a One-Time Assessment

A key part of our hip surveillance program is not only assessing a child’s current hip health, but also monitoring changes over time through a structured tracking system.

At the Brain and Performance Center, we use a traffic light monitoring approach to help identify areas of concern and track progression between assessments.

Green

Findings within expected or lower-risk ranges.

Orange

Areas requiring closer monitoring and follow-up.

Red

Higher-risk findings or significant clinical concerns requiring closer management or referral consideration.

This system allows us to objectively compare assessments over time and monitor changes in:

Joint range measurements
Hip alignment and radiological findings
Migration percentage progression
Overall musculoskeletal risk

This structured monitoring approach helps guide:

Follow-up frequency
Clinical recommendations
Orthopaedic referral decisions
Long-term management planning

Who Should Be Assessed?

Hip surveillance is recommended for all children with Cerebral Palsy, as hip changes can develop gradually and may not always present with obvious symptoms in the early stages.

Regular monitoring helps identify changes in hip development early and supports timely clinical management when needed.

Surveillance frequency may vary depending on a child’s age, mobility level, clinical presentation, and individual risk factors.

Supporting Families Through Every Step

We understand that navigating hip monitoring and clinical assessments can feel overwhelming for families.

Our approach is collaborative, transparent, and designed to help parents clearly understand their child’s hip health, assessment findings, and long-term monitoring plan.

We aim to provide clarity, reassurance, and proactive support throughout the process.

Early monitoring gives peace of mind and helps protect your child's mobility as they grow.