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Spica Cast Duration for DDH

A Prospective Analysis of Optimal Spica Cast Duration Following Closed Reduction for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH)

Status
Withdrawn
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06204068
Enrollment
0
Registered
2024-01-12
Start date
2025-05-31
Completion date
2026-01-31
Last updated
2025-07-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Dysplasia; Hip

Brief summary

This study looks at treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), a condition where there is abnormal development of a child's hip joint. While spica casts are shown to very effective in treating DDH, and potentially more effective than hip braces alone, other research shows that the outcomes from braces are equivalent to those of spica casts with the added advantage of greater patient satisfaction and less burden on families. Therefore, the 12-week experimental protocol in the study, with the first 6 weeks involving the spica cast and the second 6 weeks the hip brace, was designed to determine if both treatment methods can be combined for an optimal patient experience.

Detailed description

The primary objective of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes of patients who undergo closed reduction of a developmentally dysplastic hip and are treated with six weeks of supplemental casting to those treated with twelve weeks of supplemental casting. The secondary objectives of this study are to determine if a shorter duration of postoperative casting affects family satisfaction and costs compared to the traditional pathway (12 weeks of spica casting). The physician will meet with the patients during the regular standard of care follow-ups every 2-3 weeks to track patient progress. Following 6 weeks of recovery, the control group will have their spica cast replaced in the operating room, with the child anesthetized, by another cast for 6 weeks. The experimental group will have their cast removed in the clinic without anesthesia and will be placed into a full-time brace for 6 weeks. Participants will be instructed to complete the full 12 weeks of the protocols. Only patients who complete the full length of treatment in either group will be considered for the study. The physicians will keep track of patients during visits to ensure the protocols are being followed.

Interventions

Spica cast is a cast that is placed while the child is sedated or under anesthesia, covering lower part of belly, waist, and both legs made up of fiberglass, also keeps legs in abduction and flexion. This device will be used as intended and is commonly used for the treatment of DDH.

DEVICERhino brace

Hip abduction brace will be used, which keeps the legs abducted and flexed. A hip brace is a special type of brace that is designed to hold the hips in a flexed and abducted position. This position allows the hip joint to develop properly while it heals. This device will be used as intended and is commonly used for the treatment of DDH.

Sponsors

Yale University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
0 Months to 18 Months
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Provision of signed and dated informed consent form * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study * Diagnosed with DDH * Require closed reduction of the hip and hip spica casting 1. between 6-18 months old 2. Alpha angle \<60 degrees, beta angle \>55 degrees i. Alpha angle is an angle created by lines along bony acetabulum and the ilium, normal is \>60 degrees ii. Beta angle is an angle created by lines along the labrum and ilium, normal is \<55 degrees c.Have either failed Pavlik harness or have dislocated hip on imaging

Exclusion criteria

* Patients over the age of 18 months * Patients with DDH who do not require closed reduction surgery * Patients with DDH who are initially consented for closed reduction surgery but their intraoperative findings necessitate conversion to open surgery * Families that do not want to participate in the study * Patients with dysplasia that need open reduction

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Re-Dislocation Rateup to 12 weeksThe incidence of DDH re-occurrence in patients over the 12 week course of the casting or bracing for early re-dislocation rate. This will be the main quantitative value that directly measures the effectiveness of the protocols on maintaining the results of the closed reduction surgery.
Patient Satisfaction Scores using Pediatric Outcome Questionnaire6 weeks and 12 weeksPediatric Outcome Questionnaire - 86 questions, item scores are summed for a total score. Total score range from 0-100, Higher score means higher satisfaction.
Complications Rateup to 12 weeksThe incidence of any complications that occur over the 12 week course.
Hospital Re-Admission Rateup to 12 weeksNumber of participants re-admitted to the hospital
Mean Time to Hospital Re-Admissionup to 12 weeksMean Time to Hospital Re-Admission in days

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Family Satisfaction/Burden using Pediatric Outcome Questionnaire12 weeksPediatric Outcome Questionnaire - 86 questions, item scores are summed for a total score. Total score range from 0-100, Higher score means higher satisfaction.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026