The pediatric hip

The three most common pediatric hip disorders (DDH, SCFE, LCP) are covered in this review. Emphasis is placed on recent literature and current treatment recommendations. Routine ultrasound screening in DDH remains controversial in this country. Currently high-risk infants (female, first born, breech) should undergo screening between four and six weeks of age despite a normal exam. Delayed screening avoids the high false positive results frequently seen in the newborn. In situ single screw fixation remains the treatment of choice for SCFE. MRI may be helpful to determine the need for prophylactic stabilization of the opposite hip. Currently, no specific treatment has been identified to reduce the risk of AVN in unstable slips. Containment treatment in LCP disease remains controversial. Recently MRI has been used to identify prognostic risk factors and a new classification has been proposed.