DISORDERS OF THE HIP AND KNEE Flashcards
What is the term that has replaced the previous name of congenital dislocation of the hip?
Developmental dysplasia of the hip
What is the incidence of developmental dysplasia of the hip?
1.5 in 1000 births
What is developmental dysplasia of the hip?
Represents a spectrum of hip instability ranging from a dislocated hip to hips with various degrees of acetabular dysplasia.
What is acetabular dysplasia?
Where the femoral head stay in position but the acetabulum is shallow.
When does developmental dysplasia of the hip occur?
Previously thought to be entirely congenital, but it is now known to also occur after birth in previously normal hips.
What are the two types of developmental dysplasia of the hip?
Typical - affecting otherwise normal babies
Teratological - associated with neurological and genetic conditions.
What are the risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip?
Congenital muscular torticollis
Congenital foot abnormalities
Female sex
First baby - squeezed in more tightly
Breech delivery
Family history
Oligohydramnios
Neuromuscular disorders
Birth weight more than 5 kg
What are the warning signs of developmental dysplasia of the hip when it is not diagnosed at birth?
Delayed walking
A painless limp
A waddling gait - Trendelenburg gait
Apparent short femur - unequal knee height (Galeazzi sign)
Why are asymmetrical skin creases not a reliable sign of developmental dysplasia of the hip?
Because 30% of all babies will have these
How is developmental dysplasia of the hip usually diagnosed or screened for?
6 week check:
Barlow manoeuvre - used to screen for DDH
Ortolani manoeuvre - used to confirm Barlow findings to check that hip is actually dislocated
How do you perform the Barlow manoeuvre?
Flex knees and hips to 90˚
Line up legs in parallel to each other in line with shoulders
Apply backward pressure to each knee in turn.
A subluxable hip is suspected on the basis of palpable partial or complete displacement using your finger.
How do you perform Ortolani manoeuvre?
Flex knee and hips to 90˚
Line up legs in parallel to each other in line with shoulders
Abduct hip whilst applying anterior pressure on the thigh to relocated the hip.
A relocating hip will be felt with your finger on the joint.
What proportion of cases of developmental dysplasia of the hip will be missed by examination alone (Barlow and Ortolani manoeuvre)?
40%
What investigation should be done in addition to examination in babies at high risk of developmental dysplasia of the hip?
Ultrasound scanning is diagnostic.
X-rays are not useful until after 4-5 months of age when femoral head has ossified.
What is Allis sign?
This is when the femur is shortened. Sometimes associated with DDH.
How do we treat developmental dysplasia of the hip?
If less than 8 months:
This involves fixing the hip in abduction. This is usually done with a Pavlik or Von Rosen harness. Harness must be adjusted every two weeks for growth and should be kept on at all times.
If more than 8 months old:
Open reduction and derotation femoral osteotomy needs to be performed, followed by Spica case. Often accelerated degenerative changes might necessitate total hip replacement in early adult life.
What is Perthes’ disease?
An idiopathic disorder characterised by osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Caused by impaired blood supply to the femoral head, causing bone infarction.
What are the risk factors for developing Perthes’ disease?
Five times as common in males than females
Family history
What ages are children mostly affected by Perthes’ disease?
Between 2 - 12
What are the clinical features of Perthes’ disease?
Limp - insidious onset
Pain in hip, knee or thigh
What proportion of cases of Perthes’ disease are bilateral?
20%
What initial investigation would you do for someone in whom you suspected Perthes’ disease?
Hip X-rays
What would you see on hip x-ray of someone with Perthes’ disease?
Widening of joint space
Epiphyseal destruction - decreased femoral head size
Deformed acetabula
If hip x-ray was normal but a child continued to show signs of Perthes’ disease, what imaging might you send him or her for?
Technetium bone scan
OR
MRI