Pediatric hip sonography - Diagnosis and differential diagnosis

Hip sonography is the study of choice for diagnosis of hip problems in the first 6 months of life. Developmental dysplasia can be classified according to severity, and management can be guided by serial sonograms. Other congenital disorders are less common but can be evaluated. The painful hip in older children may be caused by a variety of conditions that initially have negative radiographs. Ultrasound is used to document the presence of a joint effusion and guide aspiration. Specific diagnoses cannot be made from the sonographic appearance of joint fluid.