THE PAVLIK HARNESS AND DEVELOPMENTAL DYSPLASIA OF THE HIP - HAS ULTRASOUND CHANGED TREATMENT PATTERNS

Monitoring Pavlik harness therapy for developmental dysplasia of the h ip (DDH) has been used at our institution since 1986. In this study, w e compared Pavlik therapy for DDH without ultrasound monitoring (group A) to similar therapy with ultrasound monitoring (group B). Both grou ps had similar age at diagnosis. Treatment failure was recognized earl ier in group B than in group A (4.9 vs. 9.3 weeks). The total number o f radiographs was Significantly decreased in group B. The duration of therapy was less in group B than in group A. Successfully treated hips had an average increase in alpha angle of 8.4 degrees per month. The average failure rate in hips resting in a dislocated position at the o nset of Pavlik therapy was unchanged by Pavlik monitoring.