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Assessing a Limited Ultrasound Protocol in DDH

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip
Interventions
Other: Standard Ultrasound Imaging
Other: Limited Ultrasound Imaging
Registration Number
NCT03608475
Lead Sponsor
The Hospital for Sick Children
Brief Summary

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is a common diagnosis in children that if untreated may lead to degeneration and arthritis of the hip joint at a young age. Ultrasound imaging is used to monitor progress of the developing hip joint during treatment. Initial data from our practice suggests that interim ultrasounds do not alter the course or outcome of treatment. Additionally, these ultrasounds add significant time to clinic visits and carry a substantial cost to the health care system. The goal of this study is to determine if limiting the number of ultrasounds during treatment results in the same outcomes while also evaluating the amount of time and money saved by omitting the ultrasounds.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria
  • Aged 0-6 months at time of diagnosis
  • Clinical and Ultrasound diagnosis of stable developmental dysplasia of the hip
  • Children with dislocated/ unstable DDH will be included once the hip becomes stable
  • Treated with Pavlik harness
  • Assessed and treated at the SickKids Baby Hip Clinic
Exclusion Criteria
  • Underlying neuromuscular disease
  • Teratologic hip dysplasia
  • Prior treatment at other institutions
  • Non-compliance with treatment protocol

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Comprehensive Ultrasound GroupStandard Ultrasound ImagingChildren in the comprehensive ultrasound protocol group will follow the current standardized treatment protocol used at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. For children presenting with stable hip dysplasia, Pavlik harness (PH) treatment is initiated at the initial visit (week 0) and runs for a total of 12 weeks. Children return to clinic at weeks 2, 5, 8 and 12 for clinical and ultrasound examinations to ensure that the harness is fitting correctly, to screen for PH complications and to monitor acetabular development.
Limited Ultrasound GroupLimited Ultrasound ImagingChildren in the limited ultrasound protocol group will receive the same treatment as described for the comprehensive ultrasound group above, except the ultrasound imaging conducted at weeks 2, 5 and 8 will be omitted. Children will still return to clinic at 2, 5, and 8 weeks for clinical examination, which includes the assessment of the Pavlik harness fit and screening for complications.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
International Hip Dysplasia Institute ScoreWhen patient reaches 1 year of age

The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) grade will be measured from a radiograph of the pelvis. The score classifies hips into one of four groups based on the position of the proximal femoral metaphysis in relation to the acetabulum. The scores grade severity from Grade 1 as the mildest type to Grade 4 as the most severe type of hip dislocation.

Acetabular IndexWhen patient reaches 1 year of age

Acetabular Index will be measured on a supine anteroposterior (AP) radiograph of the pelvis

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Complication RateThrough study completion, an average of two years

The frequency of complications between the treatment groups will be compared

Health Care CostsThrough study completion, an average of two years

The difference in cost between the two treatment arms will be the cost of 3 diagnostic ultrasounds

Hospital Appointment DurationThrough study completion, an average of two years

Calculating time between registering at Ultrasound and registering at the Orthopaedic clinic will provide a measurement of time savings in the limited ultrasound protocol group

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Hospital for Sick Children

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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