Use of inlet radiographs in the assessment of reduction after the surgical treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip.

AIMS: This pilot study aimed to evaluate prospectively the use of inlet radiographs of the hip as an alternative method of the assessment of reduction after the surgical treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The children in this study underwent surgery between January 2013 and January 2015. All had inlet radiographs and CT scans post-operatively. Data were analysed by determining inter-observer reliability and intra-observer reproducibility, using the kappa value (K). Differences were settled by discussion between the two observers until a consensus was reached. The sensitivity and specificity of the radiographic and CT results were compared. A total of 26 radiographs were obtained from 23 children, with a mean age of 2.38 years (one to five). RESULTS: Similar high levels of intra- and inter-observer agreement were observed (K = 0.834, 95% confidence interval (CI)). There was a high agreement between the radiographic and CT results (K = 0.834, 5% CI), with excellent sensitivity and a specificity of 95.5%. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that inlet radiographs may be a reliable method of assessing the reduction of the hip after the surgical treatment of DDH. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:697-701.