Hip Dysplasia, Congenital, Nonsyndromic

Developmental dysplasia of the hip is the most common bone and joint condition in babies. It is usually treated with a harness that holds the hips in a safe position so they can develop normally. After the hip is confirmed to be in the correct position, babies are commonly kept in the harness for up to 12 weeks or more. While effective, wearing a harness for this length of time can be challenging for families. It can make everyday care such as feeding, bathing and dressing more difficult, and add stress during an important time for bonding. This trial compares two treatment options: 8 versus 12 weeks of harness wear. The 8-week option is being tested because research has shown that most hips appear normal on ultrasound by this point. The main measure of success is whether the hip looks normal on x-ray two years after treatment. Families will also be asked about their experience and treatment-related problems. If the shorter option is as effective as the longer option, many babies could spend less time in brace, reducing burden without compromising outcomes. Because this trial is embedded in routine care, results can be put into practice quickly and guide care for babies across Ontario and beyond.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is the most common hip condition affecting infants and children. DDH represents a spectrum of issues affecting the hip joint - a "ball-and-socket" joint. When the femoral head (the "ball) is seated properly in the acetabulum (the "socket"), the hip is stable and can develop normally. However, when the femoral head is not well-seated, the hip can become unstable or dislocate. This instability or dislocation of the femoral head prevents the hip joint from developing normally during infancy and early childhood. If left undetected or untreated, it can lead to debilitating complications later in life. Development of a comprehensive, prospective international registry for all infants and children with DDH will provide the potential to impact all infants born, not only in British Columbia, but around the world. The purpose of this initiative is to identify best practices and standardize treatment and management strategies in order to optimize clinical and functional outcomes for patients with DDH. This registry includes targeted specific outcomes that will be investigated, in addition to the general collection of data on all patients diagnosed with any form of DDH up to the age of 10 years.