Which maneuver is used to assess hip stability in newborns?

Which maneuver is used to assess hip stability in newborns?

• A. Barlow maneuver
• B. Galeazzi sign
• C. Ortolani maneuver
• D. Allis test

Answer: (C)

Assessing hip stability in newborns focuses on whether a dislocated hip can be reduced back into the socket. The Ortolani maneuver specifically tests this reducibility: with the infant on the back, the hips are flexed and brought into abduction while gentle anterior pressure is applied to the greater trochanters to guide the femoral head back into the acetabulum. A palpable or felt clunk as the head relocates indicates a hip that is dislocated but reducible, confirming instability that warrants follow-up and treatment. The Barlow maneuver looks for a hip that can be dislocated by adduction and posterior pressure, highlighting risk rather than current reducibility. Galeazzi (Allis) signs compare knee heights to assess leg-length discrepancy, which suggests hip issues indirectly but doesn’t directly test stability or reducibility. Therefore, the maneuver that best assesses hip stability by demonstrating reducibility is the Ortolani maneuver.

Assessing hip stability in newborns focuses on whether a dislocated hip can be reduced back into the socket. The Ortolani maneuver specifically tests this reducibility: with the infant on the back, the hips are flexed and brought into abduction while gentle anterior pressure is applied to the greater trochanters to guide the femoral head back into the acetabulum. A palpable or felt clunk as the head relocates indicates a hip that is dislocated but reducible, confirming instability that warrants follow-up and treatment. The Barlow maneuver looks for a hip that can be dislocated by adduction and posterior pressure, highlighting risk rather than current reducibility. Galeazzi (Allis) signs compare knee heights to assess leg-length discrepancy, which suggests hip issues indirectly but doesn’t directly test stability or reducibility. Therefore, the maneuver that best assesses hip stability by demonstrating reducibility is the Ortolani maneuver.