The Pavlik Harness and Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: Has Ultrasound Changed Treatment Patterns?

Monitoring Pavlik harness therapy for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) has been used at our institution since 1986. In this study, we compared Pavlik therapy for DDH without ultrasound monitoring (group A) to similar therapy with ultrasound monitoring (group B). Both groups had similar age at diagnosis. Treatment failure was recognized earlier in group B than in group (4.9 vs. 9.3 weeks). The total number of 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 α angle of 8.4° per month. The average failure rate in hips resting in a dislocated position at the onset of Pavlik therapy was unchanged by Pavlik monitoring.