Developmental dysplasia of the hip: diagnosis and management to 18 months

Nicholas M P Clarke1

  • 1Professor and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Department of Child Health, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.

Instructional Course Lectures
|April 12, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a hip condition in infants. Early diagnosis and Pavlik harness treatment are successful in most cases, with ultrasound monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatric medicine
  • Medical imaging

Background:

  • Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition with varying severity, from instability to dislocation.
  • Identified risk factors include female sex, breech presentation, and family history.
  • Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for successful outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the diagnostic and treatment spectrum for developmental dysplasia of the hip.
  • To emphasize the importance of early detection and management.
  • To discuss the role of ultrasound in monitoring treatment effectiveness.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical examination for initial assessment.
  • Ultrasound imaging as the gold standard for diagnosis and monitoring.
  • Pavlik harness as a primary splinting treatment.

Main Results:

  • The Pavlik harness achieves success in up to 90% of patients when initiated early.
  • Ultrasound is effective for monitoring treatment progress during harness use.
  • Late presentation or failed splinting may require surgical intervention.

Conclusions:

  • Early diagnosis and treatment of DDH, particularly with the Pavlik harness, yield high success rates.
  • Ultrasound plays a vital role in guiding and monitoring DDH treatment.
  • Surgical intervention is reserved for complex or late-diagnosed cases.