What is a typical treatment for an infant diagnosed with DDH?

The Pavlik harness is a typical treatment for infants diagnosed with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH). This lightweight, flexible harness is designed to hold the baby’s hips in a position that allows for normal development of the hip joints. The harness works by keeping the hips in a position that promotes proper alignment and allows for flexibility, encouraging the hip joint to stabilize in the socket.

The use of the Pavlik harness is recommended for infants under six months of age, as their bones are still pliable and responsive to non-surgical interventions. Early detection and treatment using the Pavlik harness can lead to successful outcomes, often eliminating the need for more invasive procedures later on.

Other treatment options, while effective in certain contexts, are not the first line of treatment for infants with DDH. For instance, a hip spica cast might be used for older children or in cases where additional stability is needed, but it is not typically the initial treatment for infants. Total hip replacement is a more invasive procedure reserved for severe cases or older children who did not receive timely treatment and would not be considered for a child that young. The Bryant harness is another type of device but is less commonly used compared to the Pavlik harness in cases of DD