Diagnosis and correction of somatic dysfunction in young infants with congenital defects of hip joints

Abstract

Introduction.Hip dysplasia in infants is one of the most common congenital defects of connective tissue. It is assumed that correction of somatic dysfunctions, which are formed in this orthopaedic pathology, will affect the timing of treatment and rehabilitation.Goal of research— to explore the opportunities of osteopathic correction for somatic dysfunctions in comprehensive conservative treatment of hip joint congenital orthopaedic pathology in young infants.Materials and methods. There were 40 infants under 6 month with diagnosis of hip joint dysplasia under observation, divided into two groups of 20 infants each. Functional orthopaedic treatment (massage, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, orthopaedic splint) and osteopathic correction were performed for infants of the main group. Infants of the control group received the orthopaedic treatment only. Osteopathic status was rated in addition to provided treatment in both groups. Treatment results were evaluated by using hip joints radiography, namely, by the acetabular index.Results.It was found that global somatic dysfunctions are not typical in infants with hip joint congenital defects. The most frequently identifi ed somatic dysfunctions were regional, in a region of head, neck, pelvis, as well as thoracic region. Somatic dysfunctions of head and pelvis region are the most signifi cant. It proves the functional connection between these dysfunctions and hip joint congenital defexts. X-ray examination data analysis let us suggest a direct effect of somatic dysfunctions correction on the acetabular index in infants with congenital orthopaedic pathology, and thus on rehabilitation periods reduction.Conclusion. The study showed that osteopathic correction of somatic dysfunctions is effective in combination with orthopaedic treatment of hip dysplasia performed from the fi rst months of infant′s life. It should be recommended as a part of comprehensive therapy of this orthopaedic pathology.