Paeds Orthopaedics Flashcards
Define DDH
A congenital spectrum of diseases characterized by varying displacement of the proximal femur from the acetabulum. (The acetabulum has not developed normally - too shallow and cannot contain the head of the femur)
Define: dysplasia in DDH
Dysplasia is characterised bt a shallow underdeveloped acetabulum
Define subluxation in DDH
There is superolateral migration of the femoral head in relation to the acetabulum
Define Dislocation in DDH
The femoral head is completely dislocated from the acetabulum
Defineteratologic hip in DDH
These hips were dislocated in utero and are irreducible on neonatal exam. Have to be associated with neuromuscular conditions or genetic disorders e.g. spina bifida, Ehler’s danlos, arthrogryphosis
Describe the late (adolescent) dysplasia
The hip is stable and reduced but dysplastic (not completely congruent/ spherical)
List the 6 risk factors for DDH + 2 other risk factors
- Female
- Fluid (oligohydramnios)
- Fat (macrosomia/ large fetal weight»_space; prolonged labour)
- Family hx +ve
- Firstborn
- Foot presentation (Breech)
Others: torticollis, swaddling to extend hips/ knees
True or false: DDH is common in black babies
False: higher incidence in white and coloured babies
True or false: DDH is commonest in the left hip
True: this is due to the fetal position (the left hip is typically laying against the maternal spine)
Describe the pathoanatomy of DDH
DDH may be caused by instability due to maternal & fetal laxity, genetic laxity and intra-uterine and postnatal malpositioning. This instability leads to displasia of the anterior or anterolateral acetabulum.
Describe 3 fetal conditions associated with DDH
- Congenital muscular torticolis
- Metatarsus adductus
- Congenital knee dislocations
Describe the 2 ways in which DDH can be prevented
- Carrying infants with hip abducted (“Abba” child on your back)
- Klisic method - using a bulky diaper “ Hip package”
Neonatal clinical examination for DDH is non-negotiable. Ultrasound screening at 6 weeks is recommended for infants with a normal examination but with which 5 risk factors?
- Breech presentation
- Family hx +
- Parental concern
- Suspicious exam
- Hx of tight lower extremity swaddling
In which 2 ways will a child < 3 months with DDH present?
- Asymmetric skin folds.
- Limited abduction of the affected hip
List and describe 3 tests you can do in a child < 3 months to dx DDH
- Ortolani’s test
- It is a test of reduction. Applied to an already dislocated hip. Lay a relaxed infant supine, flex hips and knees to 90 degrees and apply anterior pressure over the greater trochanter using index finger, gently abduct the hips using thumbs. This produces a “ clunk” with anterior dislocation of femoral head relative to the acetabulum. - Barlow’s test
- Test of dislocation. Applied to a dislocatable hip (but not already dislocated). Flax and adduct hips, apply light pressure on the knees, directing force posteriorly. + test if the hip is dislocated posteriorly. - Galleazzi’s test
- Only useful in unilateral dislocations. Check if the knees are of unequal height when the hips and knees are flexed.
How will a child > 3 mo old but < 1 year old present and what test will you use to test them?
Limited hip abduction of the affected side.
Test using the Galleazi test.
List 5 signs of the walking child (>1 yo) with DDH.
Which test can be done to make the dx?
- Limited hip abduction in the affected leg
- Increased lumbar lordosis
- Trendelenburg gait
- Equinus gait (toe walking)
- Pelvic obliquity
Galleazzi test can be one but only in unilateral DDH.
Ix to dx DDH:
True or false: DDH is a clinical diagnosis
True
From when can an ultrasound be done for DDH?
From 6 weeks and younger than 4 months
X-rays for DDH are unreliable until the pt is at least how old? Why?
Until the pt is at least 4 months old because the epiphysis of the femoral head is only visible on x-ray after the epiphysis has ossified.
List and explain the 5 radiological signs of DDH.
- Hip dislocation: Hilgenreiner line
- horizontal line through right and left triradiate cartilage.
- Femoral head ossification should be inferior to this line. - Perkin’s line
- vertical line perpendicular to Hilgenreiners line through a point at a lateral margin of the acetabulum.
- Femoral head ossification should be medial to this line - Shenton’s line
- Arc along the inferior border of the femoral neck and superior margin of the obturator foramen.
- The arc line should be continuous. - Ossification of femoral head
- Delayed ossification in cases of dislocation - Hip dysplasia: AI
- Angle drawn from a point on the lateral triradiate cartilage to a point at the lateral margin of the acetabulum. The angle should be less than 25 degrees.
What is the treatment of choice for DDH if picked up < 6 months?
Abduction splinting/ bracing (Pavlik harness)
What are 2 indications for Pavlik harness?
- < 6 months
- Reducible hip
Name 1 contraindication for Pavlik harness
Tetatologic hip dislocation