Bilaterally Dislocated Hips Treated With the Pavlik Harness Are not at a Higher Risk for Failure

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the Pavlik harness treatment in patients with bilaterally dislocated hips, and to compare them with cases with unilaterally dislocated hips. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients (58 hips) were identified who presented with bilateral dislocated hips with no earlier treatment and received dynamic ultrasound examination. The comparison group consisted of 38 patients (38 hips) with unilateral hip dislocation treated with the same protocol. Successful treatment was defined as relocation/reduction of the hips within 3 weeks of Pavlik harness application. RESULTS: Seventeen of 29 patients (59%) in the bilateral group (7 bilateral, 10 unilateral) and 22 of 38 patients (58%) in the unilateral group failed the harness treatment. There was no difference in the duration of harness wear for successful patients regardless of presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients presenting with bilaterally dislocated hips treated with the Pavlik harness are at no greater risk for failure than patients presenting with unilateral hip dislocation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.