Modern Orthopedic Pathology

Modern orthopedic doctors still believe in Degas’ description, yet today they are more aware of the pathology and its effects in utero, as well as, the postnatal phase. Therefore, it is universally accepted that DDH is no more a congenital defect than it can be acquired. Even so, the incidence of diagnosis is higher at birth due to the neonatal screening examinations following childbirth (7). At birth, Caucasian infants usually have a shallower acetabulum than African infants which is likely the reason why there is a higher rate of DDH amongst Caucasian children. The femoral head and acetabulum develop from the mesenchymal tissue in the first trimester; but development of a concentric hip joint depends on contact between the acetabulum and
• Postnatal causes:
Swathing with hip extension or strapping infant to a cradle board.
CLINICAL FEATURES AND EXAMINATION: Clinically, DDH is diagnosed during newborn screening just following birth. Other clinical findings which can be obvious are asymmetrical gluteal folds, leg length