Original Research
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip in Infants With Congenital Muscular Torticollis
Am J Orthop. 2008 September;37(9):E155-E158
Author and Disclosure Information
Keith P. Minihane, MD, John J. Grayhack, MD, Todd D. Simmons, MD, Roopa Seshadri, PhD, Robert W. Wysocki, MD, and John F. Sarwark, MD
Dr. Minihane is Senior Resident, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Grayhack is Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, and Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Simmons is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, and Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Seshadri is Assistant Professor and Statistician, Department of Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Wysocki is Resident, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Sarwark is Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, and Head, Division of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.
Infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) are at increased risk for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), which has led to increased use of diagnostic procedures. Our goal in this study was to establish indications for imaging the hips of infants presenting with CMT. We reviewed the cases of 292 patients with the diagnosis of CMT, 16 of whom were found to have DDH. Each patient with DDH had an abnormal clinical hip examination. Our study results demonstrate that, despite the association of these disorders, an infant presenting with CMT does not require routine hip imaging in light of a normal clinical hip examination. The coexistence rate for CMT and DDH requiring treatment is 4.5%, which is lower than the commonly accepted 20%.