[An ultrasound hip screening program--middle term results of flexion-abduction orthosis therapy].

INTRODUCTION

Today the hip sonography is an established method to detect congenital hip maturation disturbances in the first days of life. Short-term follow-ups have showed that mature hip joints can be performed with an flexion-abduction bandage within a few months.

METHODS

This prospective study reviews in a middle-term follow up 57 dysplastic hips at birth of 42 children after an average period of 7.8 years, who took part in an ultrasonic hip screening and were treated successfully with an abduction pant (33 hips type IIg, 16 hips type D, 8 hips type III according to Graf).

RESULTS

There were only 3 cases (5%) who had slight limitations of motion clinically according to the classification of Tönnis. The radiographic control showed an average AC-angle of 11 degree, an average CE-angle of 28 degree and an average hip-score according to Tönnis of 8.5. Slight radiological deviations were found in 9% of the cases. Severe pathologic radiographic appearance or avascular necrosis of the femoral head were not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

If DDH is detected in first day of life and immediately treated with abduction pants is physiological development of the hip probably.