What is the primary role of the Pavlik harness in treating hip dysplasia?

What is the primary role of the Pavlik harness in treating hip dysplasia?

• A. To immobilize the hip joint
• B. To allow for more mobility
• C. To maintain flexion and abduction of the hip
• D. To strengthen surrounding muscles

Answer: (C)

The primary role of the Pavlik harness in treating hip dysplasia is to maintain flexion and abduction of the hip. This positioning is crucial because it helps keep the femoral head properly seated within the acetabulum, promoting the normal development of the hip joint. By maintaining the hip in flexion and abduction, the Pavlik harness encourages the joint to stabilize in a biomechanically advantageous position, which is vital for correcting the dysplasia and supporting healthy hip joint development. This approach is aimed at allowing the hip to grow properly while limiting the risk of further dislocation or instability. In contrast to the other options, immobilization of the hip joint does not align with the goal of the Pavlik harness, as the device is designed to permit some degree of movement while still securing the joint in the correct alignment. Allowing for more mobility without controlling the hip position could lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes. Additionally, while muscle strengthening may play a role in hip stability later on, the initial objective of the Pavlik harness is focused on proper positioning rather than directly strengthening surrounding muscles.

The primary role of the Pavlik harness in treating hip dysplasia is to maintain flexion and abduction of the hip. This positioning is crucial because it helps keep the femoral head properly seated within the acetabulum, promoting the normal development of the hip joint. By maintaining the hip in flexion and abduction, the Pavlik harness encourages the joint to stabilize in a biomechanically advantageous position, which is vital for correcting the dysplasia and supporting healthy hip joint development. This approach is aimed at allowing the hip to grow properly while limiting the risk of further dislocation or instability.

In contrast to the other options, immobilization of the hip joint does not align with the goal of the Pavlik harness, as the device is designed to permit some degree of movement while still securing the joint in the correct alignment. Allowing for more mobility without controlling the hip position could lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes. Additionally, while muscle strengthening may play a role in hip stability later on, the initial objective of the Pavlik harness is focused on proper positioning rather than directly strengthening surrounding muscles.