Role of preoperative arthrography in developmental dysplasia of the hip. how much it is helpful ?

Abstract

Aim of the study : to try to put an answer to whether this type of invasive procedure of studying the child's hip joint is really helpful and affect the decision management of DDH cases. Method: This is a retrospective study, between 1995-2006 .The clinical records, arthrograms and X-ray of all with dislocated or subluxated with poor coverage on X-ray or failed conservation treatment of (176 ) children (273) hip were collected . The mean time of follow-up is (8)years range from (2 to 13) years and the mean age at the time of arthrogram was(16)months ranges from 7 to 34 months. Results: The decision which depends on arthrographic finding is differ from that made on just simple X-ray view in a good percentage of patients. In this population of the study 84 of the hips went into conservative treatment while the first decision on simple views without arthrogram was operative treatment in 50 hips, those (84) hips were followed for up to (8) years .The other (189) hips were underwent open reduction, no repeated arthrogram was done for any cause. Conclusion : In all cases the arthrograms were helpful in providing the information about the shape of the head, shape of the acetabulaum, labrum, ligamentum teres, containment of the hip and external obstacles that, guides the surgical decision. This procedure is very helpful in many cases of DDH.