Proven Therapy

• According to Professor Dr. Bernau
• Based on the principle of the proven seated squat position with flexion in excess of 90° and moderate abduction
• Reproducible hip flexion setting (individual flexion using beaded cords and practical closures)
• Adjustable abduction using spreader bar
• No reports of hip head necrosis to date

For the treatment of hip dysplasia in infants, flexion of the hip joints in excess of 90° with controlled medium abduction is the best prerequisite for correction of the hip joint. The Tübingen Hip Abduction Orthosis is especially well suited for this indication.

The thigh supports are connected to the shoulder harness with two beaded cords used to establish the reproducible hip flexion setting. The desired degree of abduction is adjustable using a spreader bar with ratchet elements. However, the child's natural movement is not restricted any more than necessary, since movement acts as a natural stimulus on growth of the acetabular roof.

Spreader Bar Prevents Uncontrolled Abduction

In a multi-centre study conducted in 20 clinics in Austria, Switzerland and Germany, Tönnis (1999) carried out a comparison of all commonly used treatment methods. The results of the infant hips which were treated with only one orthosis were evaluated. Tönnis compared the improvement of the bony alpha-angle in the sonograph according to Graf, from the beginning to the end of treatment.

The result: The position referred to as seated squat position by Fettweis and as human position by Salter, in which the hip joints are flexed in excess of 90° and abducted approximately 40°, is best for risk-free maturing of the hip joints. Orthoses fulfilling this condition, i.e. controlled abduction by means of a spreader bar, achieve grade I (complete maturing with alpha angle 62° as the lower boundary) in 98 percent to 99 percent of all cases analyzed by Tönnis. The Tübingen Hip Abduction Orthosis meets these requirements and achieves the quoted results.

From 1987 to 2000, over 100,000 Tübingen Hip Flexion Splints were used – mostly in German-speaking areas – without any known cases of hip head necrosis.

Easy Handling

You can individually adapt the orthosis, which is available in three sizes, to the growth of the child by releasing the existing spare length of the beaded cords using the red closures, and by adjusting the spreader bar. The Tübingen Hip Abduction Orthosis also distinguishes itself through easy handling. Parents can put the splint on and remove the splint easily using the white closures. It is protected against corrosion and is washable. The terry cloth shoulder harness covers can be removed and washed.

Indications

• Treatment of hip dysplasia in infants (type IIa and IIb hips according to Graf)
• When monitored at frequent intervals by an experienced orthopaedist, it can also be used in cases of instable or decentered hips (IIc and IId)