A frog-leg lateral view does not add additional information but does double the radiation dose 15.Īsymmetry of the femoral head ossification center (delayed on the abnormal side) is often present. Plain radiographĪ single AP radiograph is the most appropriate examination in children where femoral head ossification has occurred, e.g. Ultrasound is the test of choice in the infant (50% is considered normal 7,14. One-third of cases are affected bilaterally 5. Once there is a significant ossification then an x-ray examination is required.įor some reason, the left hip is said to be more frequently affected 4. Radiographic featuresįor imaging assessment of developmental dysplasia of the hip, ultrasound is the modality of choice prior to the ossification of the proximal femoral epiphysis. In addition, there is very cellular hyaline cartilage allowing the femoral head to glide out of the acetabulum generating the palpable clunk known as the Ortolani sign 12,13.

In general, the dysplastic hip has a ridge ( neolimbus) in the superolateral region of the acetabulum composed of hypertrophied fibrocartilage as a result of the abnormal joint congruity 13. The diagnosis is then usually confirmed with ultrasound, although the role of ultrasound in screening is controversial 1,3. Risk factorsĭevelopmental dysplasia of the hip is usually suspected in the early neonatal period due to the widespread adoption of clinical examination (including the Ortolani test, Barlow maneuvers, and Galeazzi sign). The reported incidence of developmental dysplasia of the hip varies between 1.5- births 1, with the majority (60-80%) of abnormal hips resolving spontaneously within 2-8 weeks 1 (so-called immature hip).

Normal hip xray description