Good Morning America—October 24, 2016
Good Morning America discusses medical advances in screening treating childhood hip abnormalities. They speak to Ernest L. Sink, MD, pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery.
Childhood hip abnormalities, such as hip dysplasia, can cause additional health problems in adulthood. Active adults with undiagnosed hip dysplasia often develop early onset osteoarthritis. This leads some to require hip replacement surgery in their 40s or even younger. But today, screening and treatment during the first weeks of life often can prevent these complications.
"Hip dysplasia is one of the more common congenital things that children are born with," said Dr. Sink. "It is an important part of the newborn exam, and there is a lot more awareness and discussion on it, as it is treatable."
Many babies can be treated nonsurgically with a Pavlik harness, a soft brace that gently realigns the hip joint to stimulate normal growth development. GMA also interviews the parents of Emily Mench, a 1-year-old HSS patient who was diagnosed at birth with DDH. After wearing the Pavlik harness for two months, she is now on track with a clean bill of health.
To watch the full segment, please visit ABCnews.go.com.
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