DYSPLASIA OF HIP DEVELOPMENT: UPDATE

Early detection and risk factors of congenital hip dislocation in Morocco

Congenital dislocation of the hip is a malformation of the lower limbs that could be complicated by a disabling physical handicap with long-term psychological and social repercussions if detected late. This study aims to describe the screening for congenital hip dislocation and to investigate the association between the occurrence of this anomaly and possible risk factors in Morocco. The study was based on the exploitation of the records of children treated at the trauma and orthopedics department of the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech, Morocco. It concerned 160 cases with a 5-year follow-up from January 2016 to March 2021. The results of the study showed that 56.7% of the affected children had a bilateral dislocation and 25.8% of the cases had a left-sided dislocation. The malformation occurred more frequently in females 69.2%. A familial disposition to the malformation was found in about 22% of the cases. The diagnosis was late (at walking age) in 61% of children following the onset of lameness with or without pain in 91% of children. In 41.87% of the hips, the reduction was surgical, with 28% failure dominated by acetabular dysplasia in 11%. The risk factors for congenital hip dislocation identified in our setting were dominated by sex, primiparity, consanguineous marriage, and the presence of a family history of dislocation. Communication of risk factors specific to our setting to healthcare personnel will allow them to guide the diagnosis and increase vigilance in the at-risk population for management that prevents the development of complications.

Quantification of Volume Mismatch of Acetabulum and Femoral Head in Developmental Dysplasia of Hip

Objectives

The sustained subluxation or dislocation of the femoral head over time does not permit normal development of acetabulum and results in predictable pattern of acetabular growth disturbance that is termed hip dysplasia. The primary aim of this study is to analyze and quantify the volume mismatch between acetabulum and femoral head of affected side as compared to normal hip.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted by including isolated untreated unilateral idiopathic developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH). After routine clinical and radiographic examination, computed tomography (CT) of both hips was done with pre-determined radiation dosage within safe limits for the pediatric age group in 18 patients of median age 2 years (range 1-5 years).

Results

A significant difference was noted between acetabular index (p<0.001), acetabular volume (p<0.001), femoral head volume (p<0.001), and acetabular anterior sectoral angle (p=0.002) of the affected and the normal hips. As compared to the normal side, the acetabulum is 2.6 times smaller than the normal side and femoral epiphysis volume by 3.8 times. A significant negative correlation (r=-0.66, p=0.04) was noted between posterior acetabular sectoral angle and acetabular volume of affected hip.

Conclusion

CT is an important investigation in evaluation of late-presenting DDH. The absence of femoral head in its orthotopic location affects the volume of acetabulum as well as that of femoral head. The abnormality of the volume of acetabulum which is seen as related to the dysplasia should be studied and assessed in detail in a child of late-presenting DDH. This would guide us toward the coverage defect and type of osteotomy to be performed.

Costs of open, arthroscopic and combined surgery for developmental dysplasia of the hip

A variety of options exist for management of patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Most studies to date have focused on clinical outcomes; however, there are currently no data on comparative cost of these techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in-hospital costs between patients managed with periacetabular osteotomy, hip arthroscopy or a combination for DDH. One hundred and nine patients were included: 35 PAO + HA, 32 PAO and 42 HA. There were no significant differences in the demographic parameters. Operative times were significantly different between groups with a mean of 52 min for PAO, 100 min for HA and 155 min for PAO + HA, (P < 0.001). Total direct medical costs were calculated and adjusted to nationally representative unit costs in 2017 inflation-adjusted dollars. Total in-hospital costs were significantly different between each of the three treatment groups. PAO + HA was the most expensive with a median of $21 852, followed by PAO with a median of $15 124, followed by HA with a median of $11 582 (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between outpatient median costs of $11 385 compared with $24 320 for inpatients (P < 0.001). Procedures with greater complexity were more expensive. However, a change from outpatient to inpatient status with HA moved that group from the least expensive to similar to PAO and PAO + HA. These data provide an important complement to clinical outcomes reports as surgeons and policymakers aim to provide optimal value.

ORTHOPEDIC ASSESSMENT OF THE HIPS IN NEWBORNS AFTER INITIAL PEDIATRIC SURVEY

OBJECTIVE

To analyze and follow-up patients previously selected by pediatricians at the time of birth who presented altered initial physical examination results to identify the pathological changes in their hips.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 34 newborns (68 hips) out of a total of 1273 live births; these infants were assessed within the first days of life as altered findings were noted in the initial examination by the pediatrician. The results of clinical and ultrasonographic examination performed using the GRAF method and of specific treatments were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 68 hips in 34 patients, 2 hips in 2 patients required intervention using the Pavlik harness for 8 weeks; a satisfactory treatment outcome was obtained in both cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the low orthopedic workload in medical courses, it was possible to identify data consistent with the literature, both in the presentation of clinical findings and in those that required treatment, indicating that an initial evaluation of all newborns is mandatory, especially those with risk factors. Level of evidence IV, case series.

Hip Arthroscopy as Part of a Salvage Procedure for Avascular Necrosis (AVN) in a 7-Year-Old Child

Patient: Female, 7

Final Diagnosis: Femoroacetabular (CAM) impingement

Symptoms: Hip pain • limitation of movement of the hip

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: Femoral osteotomy and acetabuloplasty – hip arthroscopy

Specialty: Orthopedics and Traumatology

MODIFIED DEGA OSTEOTOMY IN TREATING DEVELOPMENTAL DYSPLASIA OF THE HIP

Objective:

To retrospectively evaluate the preliminary postoperative results of modified Dega-type acetabular osteotomy to treat developmental dysplasia of the hip, confirming the efficacy and reproducibility of this technique.

Methods:

This retrospective study included patients older than 18 months. A total of 19 hips underwent modified Dega osteotomy.

Results:

Satisfactory results were obtained, with an average decrease of the acetabular index from 39.2 to 20.6 degrees. The final average center edge angle was 29.6 degrees. Hip joint congruence was reestablished in all cases, and as of this writing, only one case developed necrosis in the femoral head during follow-up.

Conclusion:

Modified Dega osteotomy demonstrated good initial results, as well as the potential for use in treating developmental dysplasia of the hip. Level of Evidence IV; Case series.

Using the Graf method of ultrasound examination to classify hip dysplasia in neonates

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is one of the most common congenital orthopedic anomalies. Ultrasound examination employing the Graf method is used to diagnose DDH. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of 222 neonatal patients (140 females and 82 males) submitted to ultrasound examination of the right and left hips between January of 2009 and May of 2011. The mean age was 5.0 days. The patients were grouped by laterality, mean alpha (α) and beta (β) angles (in degrees), and hip type (as determined by the Graf classification). The data collected were statistically correlated. Mean α angle values were higher in males than in females, as well as being higher for right hips than for left hips (p < 0.001). In contrast, mean β angle values were lower in males than in females, as well as being lower for right hips than for left hips (p < 0.001). Type Ia hips (i.e., mature hips) predominated in both genders and on both sides, having been found in 82.32% of the examinations of males and in 71.09% of those of females. The right hip was classified as type Ia in 78.38% of the examinations, and the left hip was classified as type Ia in 72.07%. Type IIa hips (i.e., immature hips) were found in 12.8% of the examinations of males and in 20% of those of females. The right hip was classified as type IIa in 13.96% of the examinations, and the left hip was classified as type IIa in 20.72%. The remaining hip types were less common. We emphasize the importance of ultrasound as a standard method of screening for DDH.