Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026
A Novel Application of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging
Published on: September 17, 2013
Dynamic ultrasonography of the infant hip with suspected instability. A new technique
1Department of Paediatric Radiology, Karolinska Institute, St. Göran's Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Purpose:
The combining of clinical examination of the infant hip with dynamic ultrasound (US) into one examination, performed by one examiner, should result in a sensitive test for hip instability. In this study a new method of dynamic US examination of the hip in newborn and very young children, that combined US with stress testing (BARLOW method) was tested.
Material And Methods:
A specially designed examination table, with a US probe holder, enabled the radiologist to perform a stress test of the hip according to BARLOW (using both hands), and simultaneously monitor it on US. Fifty-seven infants and young children were examined by this method, and compared with the GRAF method and clinical stress test.
Results:
Our method allowed clear visualisation of the movement of the femoral head during the stress test, and was performed easily in patients under 3-4 months of age.
Conclusion:
The described method is easily adapted for one examiner with experience in US and in the clinical examination of the infant hip.
