A thousand young lives take part in Southampton hip study

A longstanding research study for children having hip treatment has reached 1,000 participants at Southampton Children’s Hospital.

Oaklee was diagnosed with hip dysplasia within just weeks of being born. This means that the ball and socket joints of her hip had not developed properly.

She has now become the milestone 1,000th patient to join a study at UHS that aims to determine the most effective treatments for the condition.

Oaklee’s parents say taking part has helped them find something positive in a difficult situation.

The study is led by Professor Alexander Aarvold, a consultant surgeon who specialises in children's orthopaedic surgery. Clinics take place at the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility (CRF) at Southampton General Hospital.

Professor Aarvold's research is supported by SoAR through the Research Leaders Programme.

What is hip dysplasia?

Around one to two in every 1,000 babies have hip dysplasia that requires treatment. The condition can affect one or both hips and is more common in girls.

Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent long-term complications. If left untreated, hip dysplasia can lead to walking difficulties, pain and osteoarthritis in the hip and back in childhood or young adulthood.

Babies' hips are checked as part of a physical examination within 72 hours of being born and again at six to eight weeks old. A doctor, midwife or nurse will gently assess the baby’s legs to check if the hip feels unstable. If they have any concerns, the baby will then have an ultrasound scan.

Treatment options

Babies diagnosed with hip dysplasia early in life are usually treated with a Pavlik harness. This is a fabric splint that holds the hips in a stable position, allowing them to develop normally.

Surgery may be needed if they’re diagnosed after six months of age or if the Pavlik harness hasn’t helped.

The study taking place in Southampton is driving new understanding of treatments for children with hip dysplasia. It is an observational study, which means researchers are observing the effect of treatment without intervening.

Children taking part in the study will have follow-up appointments as they grow up until the age of 15.

Prof Aarvold explained: “By tracking their progress over time, we are gaining vital new insights into which treatments offer the best long-term outcomes. This could help inform guidance on how hip dysplasia is treated in the future.”