Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip

Changes in Intra-pelvic Obliquity Angle 0–2 Years After Total Hip Arthroplasty and Its Effects on Leg Length Discrepancy

“…Considerable improvements have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Claudication has been solved by plaster or osteotomy treatment in childhood;[ 1 2 3 ] however, there are still many DDH patients who have been missed or ignored. These patients do not visit their physicians until decades of claudication result in unbearable pain.…”

To swaddle, or not to swaddle? paleoepidemiology of developmental dysplasia of the hip and the swaddling dilemma among the indigenous populations of North America

“…DDH is a pathological spectrum that ranges in severity by varying degrees of misalignment of the femoral head from the acetabulum (Aufderheide and Rodriguez‐Martin, ; Godley, ; Ortner, ; Weinstein, ). In the past, this condition was called congenital dysplasia/dislocation of the hip, referring to complete dislocation at birth.…”

“…However, a higher frequency of DDH cases begin with only a slight abnormality of the acetabulum and develop over the life of the individual into more severe forms, taking tissue growth and differentiation into consideration, hence the clinical appropriateness of the name change recognizing it as a developing pathology (Gulati et al, ; Harcke, ; Mitchell and Redfern, ). Misalignment can be the result of trauma or congenital abnormalities in the joint which increase the likelihood of further damage (Aufderheide and Rodriguez‐Martin, ; Godley, ; Ortner, ; Weinstein, ). Trauma can cause dislocation of the hip, but in such cases, it is no longer called DDH, but rather traumatic hip dislocation.…”

Developmental dysplasia of the hip

“…Aim of therapy is maintaining hip stability, the femoral head being well covered by the acetabulum 11 . Preferred initial treatment involves use of the Pavlik harness which keeps the hip flexed and abducted, causing concentric reduction of the femoral head 11 . Rare complications associated with this therapy include avascular necrosis and femoral nerve palsy 12 .…”

“…Once hip dysplasia is diagnosed clinically or by imaging, subsequent management should be by an orthopaedic specialist with treatment preferably being started before the baby is 6 weeks old 11 . Aim of therapy is maintaining hip stability, the femoral head being well covered by the acetabulum 11 .…”