An Improved Screening System for the Early Detection of Congenital Dislocation of the Hip

A screening programme for congenital dislocation of the hip in which physiotherapists examine all neonates is described, together with the results over a 7-year period. All easily reducible dislocated and dislocatable hips are splinted within 2–5 days of birth. Subluxable or “slidey” hips are identified and followed up but not splinted. Risk groups are also identified and followed up. There was a progressive decrease in the number of late diagnosed cases, a result suggesting that even late-presenting acetabular dysplasia can be eliminated by neonatal screening.