The Pavlik Harness: Results in Patients over Three Months of Age

The role of the Pavlik harness in the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip in 122 patients over 3 months of age is presented. There were 21 patients with hip dislocation and 101 patients with hip dysplasia, with an average age of 5 months. In patients with dysplasia, concentric reduction in the harness was obtained initially, while it took 1 to 4 weeks to achieve reduction in the dislocated hips. The overall success rate was 97%, with no incidence of avascular necrosis. In three patients, the harness did not succeed in reducing the hips, and alternative methods were used with uneventful course. At follow-up, which averaged 5 years, clinical and radiographic examinations were normal in every patient.