The predictive value of computed tomography in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip

The use of computed tomography (CT) to confirm femoral head position after closed reduction and spica cast immobilization in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) has become a common practice. We retrospectively reviewed postreduction CT scans of 38 children younger than 24 months of age with unilateral DDH to determine whether they could predict acetabular remodeling potential. The measurements analyzed from the postreduction CT scans were the acetabular index, axial acetabular index, anterior and posterior acetabular angles, acetabular anteversion, and axial reduction index; the standard acetabular index was measured from the plain radiographs. The average age at reduction was 11 months and at follow-up was 61 months. No angle measured on the postreduction CT scan was found to be predictive of acetabular remodeling.