Does routine sonography of the neonate hips induce over treatment? A suggestion for a new treatment protocol of dysplastic hips

ABSTRACT

Two groups of dysplastic hips diagnosed by ultrasound were statistically assessed. The treatment protocol in group A was based only on ultrasound examination as advocated by Graf. Most dysplastic hips in group B [86.9%] were not treated and showed spontaneous maturation. In their series, there was evident difference in the behavior of clinically stable and unstable hips. Ultrasonic examination alone did not give a convincing high correlation with the final outcome of dysplastic hips in either group A [r = 0.37, r = 0.41] or group B [r = 0.36], whereas, the clinical assessment gave a fairly good correlation in group B [r = 0.61]. A combination of both ultrasound and clinical examination in describing protocols for treatment of dysplastic hips was suggested in a modified classification of hips at birth