Developmental dysplasia of the hip joint is the most common abnormality in infants. The exact causes of this abnormality are unknown, but there are ways to detect and correct the issue, such as the Barlow and Ortolani maneuvers. The Barlow maneuver attempts to dislocate the femoral head with hip adduction and posterior translation while the Ortolani maneuver tries to relocate the dislocated femoral head with hip abduction and anterior translation. Improper training of these two procedures can decrease the chances of detecting this abnormality in infants, therefore, creating a proper model to practice performing these maneuvers on is important. The team is developing a model that will improve upon the existing model that is currently used. This will help to detect developmental dysplasia of the hip more accurately in infants so they can receive the proper care to correct the issue.
Currently, the investigators are creating a model that will undergo testing involving placing pressure pads on the acetabulum. The investigators will apply a force to the femur to observe the force it creates on the acetabulum. The results will be compared to a finite element hip model that is soon to be validated.