Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Orthop. Dec 18, 2024; 15(12): 1112-1117
Published online Dec 18, 2024. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v15.i12.1112
Total hip arthroplasty preoperative planning for childhood hip disorders’ sequelae: Focus on developmental dysplasia of the hip
Saran S Gill, Valerio Pace
Saran S Gill, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
Valerio Pace, Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, AOSP Terni, Terni 05100, Italy
Author contributions: Pace V received the editorial invitation; Gill SS and Pace V designed the article, performed research and literature review, analyzed data, wrote and finalized the review.
Conflict-of-interest statement: Both authors have nothing to disclose.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Valerio Pace, MBBS, MSc, Researcher, Senior Research Fellow, Surgeon, Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, AOSP Terni, Via Joannuccio, Terni 05100, Italy. valeriopace@doctors.org.uk
Received: July 20, 2024
Revised: November 3, 2024
Accepted: November 25, 2024
Published online: December 18, 2024
Processing time: 149 Days and 23.4 Hours
Abstract

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) poses significant challenges in both childhood and adulthood, affecting up to 10 per 1000 live births in the United Kingdom and United States. While newborn screening aims to detect DDH early, missed diagnoses can lead to severe complications such as hip dysplasia and early onset osteoarthritis in adults. Treatment options range from less invasive procedures like hip-preserving surgery to more extensive interventions such as total hip arthroplasty (THA), depending on the severity of the condition. Preoperative planning plays a critical role in optimizing surgical outcomes for DDH patients undergoing THA. This includes accurate imaging modalities, precise measurement of acetabular bone stock, assessment of femoral head subluxation, and predicting prosthesis size and leg length discrepancy. Recent advancements artificial intelligence and machine learning offer promising tools to enhance preoperative planning accuracy. However, challenges remain in validating these technologies and integrating them into clinical practice. This editorial highlights the importance of ongoing research to refine preoperative strategies and improve outcomes in DDH management through evidence-based approaches and technological innovations.

Keywords: Developmental dysplasia of the hip; Childhood hip disorders; Total hip arthroplasty; Total hip replacement; Preoperative planning

Core Tip: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) presents challenges from infancy to adulthood. Early detection is critical, as untreated DDH can lead to severe hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. Treatment ranges from conservative approaches to total hip arthroplasty (THA). Preoperative planning for THA in DDH involves precise imaging, acetabular assessment, and prediction of prosthesis size. Advances in artificial intelligence hold promise for enhancing accuracy in surgical planning. However, validating these technologies and integrating them into clinical practice are ongoing tasks. This editorial emphasizes continual research to refine preoperative strategies and leverage technological advancements for improved DDH management outcomes.