International Hip Dysplasia Institute

The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) is a not-for-profit effort to improve the health and quality of life of those afflicted with hip dysplasia. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute is supported by the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation in Orlando, Florida with major sponsorship from Dan Whitney (“Larry the Cable Guy”), and his wife, Cara and the Telefonica Foundation. With this combined effort, we have joined forces with several noted medical centers around the World to promote prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hip dysplasia. The IHDI began because a mother had the vision and resources to help others avoid the problems she faced with her son. One paragraph written by Cara Whitney captures the essence of what we are trying to achieve. She said, “Once I started questioning the system of curing hip dysplasia I realized there was no system. No categories, no percentages. The only thing that has been agreed is that “We don’t know”. We need a place to learn, create and gather information about something that is curable but could be cured more efficiently with less harness hours logged and avoiding surgeries. Developing a system that all doctors with less experience can use confidently (avoiding “I don’t know”). The possibility of creating a universal harness and a website that is informative to doctors and parents who want the answers I was seeking.” Our mission statement and objectives further identify our goals to address Cara Whitney’s concerns and to help all patients with hip dysplasia regardless of age, nationality, or social condition. We hope to provide education to patients, families, and physicians as the most comprehensive and reliable resource for knowledge about hip dysplasia in its various forms. We are joined in this effort by several other websites and passionate individuals who share our commitment to improving care and knowledge of hip dysplasia.