Indications and Techniques for Ultrasonography of the Paediatric Orthopaedic Hip

Ultrasound of the paediatric hip has vast utility. The purpose of this paper is to outline the clinical indications for infantile hip ultrasound, describe the method by which it can be implemented, and describe the benefits of implementing such technology into orthopaedic paediatric practice. Indications for the use of paediatric ultrasound in the acute setting include infectious and inflammatory processes such as transient synovitis and septic arthritis, whereas indications in the chronic setting include developmental dysplasia, juvenile arthropathies, and Perthes disease. The following technique guide outlines the static (Classic Graf Method) assessment of the infantile hip while adding further development and instruction on the implementation of additional dynamic techniques promoted by Harcke et al. Ultrasound accurately identifies early stages of pathology; however, it also clearly outlines the anatomy of the paediatric hip without the disadvantage of radiologic exposure. As ultrasound techniques evolve, their utility also continues to expand. This paper is a useful tool for the paediatric orthopaedic surgeon to understand their diagnostic application.