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Thirty-one hips in 27 young girls, treated for developmental dysplasia of the hip in the authors' institute since 2003, showed persistent radiographic evidence of residual acetabular dysplasia. These hips were registered as candidates for pelvic osteotomy. A prospective study was conducted and these hips were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); the average age of the patients was 5 years. MRI measurement of acetabular angle and acetabular head index in 2 different landmarks (bone and cartilage) was performed. The results were correlated with plain radiographic film evolution. MRI studies revealed sufficient cartilaginous acetabular coverage in 27 hips, cartilaginous acetabular dysplasia in 2 hips, and short acetabulum in 2 others. The 27 hips with thick cartilage of the acetabular roof were subsequently followed up by plain radiographs. The average follow-up period was 2.1 years. The authors observed a spontaneous progressive ossification of the cartilaginous acetabular roof in all the 27 cases. In 4 cases, the correction of the acetabular angle was complete. They concluded that MRI promotes more accurate selection of patients for pelvic osteotomy and aids in the choice of the most appropriate type of osteotomy. Clinical imaging examples are presented and need to be further evaluated.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the early results of the Ponseti method and the effectiveness of the Steenbek foot abduction brace. A total of 74 patients with 110 idiopathic clubfeet were included in this prospective study. The feet were evaluated according to the Dimeglio-Bensahel classification, the Catteral-Pirani classification and the functional classification of the Hospital for Joint Diseases. Ninety-eight feet (89%) had a good result after the casting period. All the feet evaluated after the period of full-time bracing and during the period of part-time bracing showed a good correction. The Ponseti method using the Steenbek foot abduction brace is effective in correcting idiopathic clubfeet.