Which test is used to assess developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants?

Which test is used to assess developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants?

• A. Galeazzi test
• B. Lachman test
• C. Phalen test
• D. Tinel sign

Answer: (A)

The Galeazzi sign is used to screen for developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants by looking for a leg length discrepancy when the hips and knees are flexed to 90 degrees. In this test, the infant lies on the back, the hips and knees are bent, and you compare knee heights. If one knee sits lower than the other, it suggests that the corresponding hip is dislocated or not properly seated in the acetabulum, making that leg effectively shorter. This makes it a quick, simple clue for unilateral DDH, though it can be less reliable if both hips are involved, in which case imaging with ultrasound is typically used. The other tests check different problems: Lachman assesses ACL stability in the knee, Phalen screens for carpal tunnel syndrome, and Tinel signs nerve compression elsewhere.

The Galeazzi sign is used to screen for developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants by looking for a leg length discrepancy when the hips and knees are flexed to 90 degrees. In this test, the infant lies on the back, the hips and knees are bent, and you compare knee heights. If one knee sits lower than the other, it suggests that the corresponding hip is dislocated or not properly seated in the acetabulum, making that leg effectively shorter. This makes it a quick, simple clue for unilateral DDH, though it can be less reliable if both hips are involved, in which case imaging with ultrasound is typically used. The other tests check different problems: Lachman assesses ACL stability in the knee, Phalen screens for carpal tunnel syndrome, and Tinel signs nerve compression elsewhere.