The Starship Orthopaedic Surgeons would like to have referred:

• Any baby in whom, at any stage, there has been a query about their hips regardless of the experience of the examiner.

  • Please record the results of the Ortolani and Barlow tests in the referral.

• Infants with frankly dislocatable hips should be discussed with the paediatric orthopaedic registrar and a referral made.

For infants with stable hips on examination but with risk factors for DDH (namely, breech deliveries, family history of hip problems (particularly congenital dislocation), and babies with other orthopaedic abnormalities or neuromuscular problems),

• Discharge the baby back to the care of the GP with a note asking the GP to arrange a radiograph with DDH views at between 4-6 months of age.  A copy of the report should be sent to Associate Professor Sue Stott at Starship Orthopaedics.

• Radiographs can be ordered through the Starship radiology department or via the private sector.