If your baby is 4 months of age then Pavlik harness can be used for DDH(Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip) treatment. It will help in holding the hip in the place so that the hip stays in the place. The baby can slightly move their legs.
For unstable hips, the treatment is provided for around 12 weeks. The treatment may vary from full time to part-time. All these decisions depend on the severity of the situation.
The doctor checks whether the harness fits properly or not. It uses hip ultrasound for checking the hip position. This ensures the success of the treatment.
After complete successful treatment, the doctor follows up. For monitoring the proper development of the hip, the doctor conducts repeated imaging and examination sessions for a few years.
The DDH might be not successfully treated through non-surgical options. There are surgical options also available for treatment.
In the open reduction surgery, the hip is repaired through the incision. This is done to reposition the hip. This is helpful allowing the hip function and grow normally. The doctor will recommend this surgery after examining the child’s specific problem. This surgery could help in reshaping the socket of the hip, redirection of the femoral head, and repair of dislocation.
It is a surgery in which the doctor inserts a pin in the hip of the child. This will help in clearly viewing the socket and the ball. Before insertion, the baby is given anesthesia so that he/she doesn’t feel the pain. The process or test of inserting the needle is known as arthrogram.
The success rate in DDH treatment is high at our place. But this doesn’t mean that the child does not need a follow-up. The parent should bring the child for regular check-up and examination until the skeletal growth is completed. The doctor needs to monitor the growth and the repaired hip.
