SONOGRAPHY OF THE INFANT HIP - SOURCES OF ERROR, PROGRESS, AND CURRENT CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Effective prevention of late dysplastic dislocation of the hip (DDH) h as become a reality since reliable diagnosis has been possible at an e arly stage by means of the original sonographic method according to Gr af. A correct sonographic diagnosis must be instantly followed by adeq uate, biomechanically rational, and consistent therapeutic management and long-term followup. The results of a strictly comparative follow-u p study emphasize the enormous progress in the quality of therapeutic results gained when routine sonographic newborn hip ''screening'' is p erformed directly in the maternity wards: successful anatomical healin g with conservative treatment is regularly obtained without femoral he ad necrosis, without surgery and without late DDH, and costs less when sonographic assessment is done within the first days of life. For thi s reason, the Austrian government has included sonographic neonatal hi p screening in its general health prevention program - and also reimbu rsed the cost of this preventive procedure - since 1992.