Ways to treat hip disorders in young people are improving and expanding over time. Decisions must be made about who should have which operation. Just such treatment guidelines are offered in this article by doctors at two large children’s hospitals in St. Louis, Missouri.
The authors of this article divide hip patients into five groups based on three factors. The first is the location of the disease (bone, inside joint, outside joint). The second is the presence of any deformity or abnormality of the bone. How much joint destruction is present makes up the third element.
The major goal of patient exam is to match up the problem with the best treatment option. Sometimes there is more than one operation that can be done. Treatment doesn’t always mean surgery. Sometimes nonoperative care is best.
Various hip conditions are reviewed along with questions physicians should ask patients. Clinical exam and tests to carry out are presented for hip snapping, popping, and clicking. How and when to take X-rays for hip problems are included.
Many other hip conditions and general guidelines for their treatment are discussed in detail. The authors make note of the fact that there’s a need for better ways to diagnose problems. Long-term studies are needed to show the true outcomes for the surgical treatment of each condition.