Late Acetabular Dysplasia Following Early Successful Pavlik Harness Treatment of Congenital Dislocation of the Hip

We present the long-term results of Pavlik harness treatment in 61 patients with 74 affected hips. At the beginning of treatment, the hips were either dislocated and reducible or dislocated and irreducible. The average age of patients at follow-up was 12 years (range, 10-16 years). At 3- and 5-year follow-up, all of the hips appeared radiographically normal. However, at latest follow-up, 17% of the hips demonstrated changes in the acetabulum (an upward tilt of the outer portion of the acetabular roof or sclerosis in this area). This study emphasizes the importance of continued follow-up until patients treated for congenital dislocation of the hip reach skeletal maturity.