Ultrasonography in congenital dysplasia and immature hip in infants

The authors report about the possibilities to evaluate correct and early diagnosis by ultrasonographic technique in congenital infant hip dysplasia. The authors report the data concerning 4666 infant hips studied by clinical and ultrasonographic examinations during the years 1990-1991. The cases have been divided according to the age of patients into three groups in the first group, infants less than 1 month old in the II group, infants one to 3 month old; and in the III group, infants 3 month old and over. The use of subdivisions according to age allows higher statistical incidence of dysplasia and immature hip. The newborns and infants included in this study were at their I ultrasonographic examination, had not an instrumental diagnosis of dysplasia, and were not orthopaedic treatment. Treatment with different types of retractors were made in patients with ultrasonographic diagnosis of dysplasia or immature hip, according to the type of dysplasia and age of patient. It has been observed, according to attendance, in the I group of age an high incidence of immature hip (38.03% versus 13.01% in II group and 2.18% in third group) and dysplasia (2.81% versus 0.07% in II group and 0.13% in III group of children). Ultrasonography is replacing conventional radiography as primary method for the diagnosis is of hip dysplasia and thereby, the evaluation of its treatment. The ultrasonography techniques, being harmless for the patient, simple to perform, non-invasive, and economical, make then attractive early diagnostic tools for screening infant congenital hip dysplasia. With early diagnosis, it is possible to begin immediate treatment of congenital dysplasia, resulting a quick resolution of pathological hip disorders. To achieve these results, it is necessary that the orthopaedic surgeon conducts an ultrasonographic examination.