Treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip with Pavlik harness: prospective study in Graf type IIc or more severe hips.

Successful treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is associated with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. In this prospective study, the results of the treatment with Pavlik harness followed by an abduction brace in patients with severe DDH were presented. Twenty-two hips of 18 patients with a mean age of 14.8+/-5.9 weeks (range, 6-26) when diagnosed were followed for an average of 24.2+/-10.8 months (range, 10-46). The hips were staged according to the classification of Graf with ultrasonography and Pavlik harness was instituted as the first line of treatment in all hips. If there was no improvement of ultrasonographic stage at the third week follow-up the harness treatment was discontinued. After the infant became too large for Pavlik harness an abduction brace was used. In all but one hip the treatment was successful (95.4%). In two hips type I avascular necrosis was noted. Of the dislocated hips 90% were reduced. The Pavlik harness is a safe and effective method of treatment of severe DDH in infancy if potential pitfalls are avoided.