Which maneuver is used to assess developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants?

Which maneuver is used to assess developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants?

• A. Ortolani's maneuver
• B. Trendelenburg's sign
• C. Adam's position
• D. Barlow's maneuver

Answer: (A)

The test for hip dysplasia in infants looks for a hip that may be dislocated but reducible, and Ortolani’s maneuver is the one used to reveal that relocation. In this exam, the infant lies on their back with hips and knees flexed to 90 degrees. The hips are gently abducted while lifting the femoral heads anteriorly. If the hip has been dislocated, you’ll feel or hear a soft “clunk” as the femoral head slips back into the acetabulum. That palpable clunk indicates a hip that is unstable but reducible, which fits developmental dysplasia of the hip. For contrast, Barlow’s maneuver tests whether a stable hip can be dislocated by adducting the thigh and applying posterior pressure—useful for identifying hips at risk, not for confirming a reducible DDH. Trendelenburg’s sign reflects hip abductor weakness in older children, not an infant hip screen, and Adam’s forward bend is used for scoliosis, not hip assessment.

The test for hip dysplasia in infants looks for a hip that may be dislocated but reducible, and Ortolani’s maneuver is the one used to reveal that relocation. In this exam, the infant lies on their back with hips and knees flexed to 90 degrees. The hips are gently abducted while lifting the femoral heads anteriorly. If the hip has been dislocated, you’ll feel or hear a soft “clunk” as the femoral head slips back into the acetabulum. That palpable clunk indicates a hip that is unstable but reducible, which fits developmental dysplasia of the hip.

For contrast, Barlow’s maneuver tests whether a stable hip can be dislocated by adducting the thigh and applying posterior pressure—useful for identifying hips at risk, not for confirming a reducible DDH. Trendelenburg’s sign reflects hip abductor weakness in older children, not an infant hip screen, and Adam’s forward bend is used for scoliosis, not hip assessment.