DDH - Graf's Method

Hip dysplasia is a condition of the hip joint where the socket is dysplastic and not “normally developed”. If the socket is very shallow this can lead to a dislocation of the femoral head, where the head of the femur slips out of the socket. It is often referred to as developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) or congenital hip dislocation and is usually a problem that is present from birth but sometimes might present later in early childhood.

DDH is most common in first born females, and there are risk factors such as breech presentation or positive family history (genetic factor). Provided that the condition is diagnosed early and treated within the first three months of life, most children with hip dysplasia will develop normally and only bracing is required. Following hip bracing, if the treatment is successful, the child’s hip is expected to have a full range of movement, without any need for surgery. However, if undiagnosed and untreated, DDH can cause problems in later life.

Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment

Hip sonography in the “Graf technique” is an important tool to detect early DDH cases and dysplastic hips in infants. Doctors check babies’ hips more than once throughout their development – immediately after birth during the newborn physical examination and again after six to eight weeks. Clinical examination of the baby’s hip joints can reveal symptoms such as:

Discomfort or pain
Reduced abduction
Instability
Leg length discrepancy

Correct patient diagnosis

Qualifying certificates, on going practice and use of Graf Method protocols with certified cradles

The Graf method relies heavily on standardized techniques and precise protocols to ensure accuracy. Proper training, qualifying certificates and continuous practice with adherence to these protocols are crucial to minimize the risk of errors and potential legal problems.

Legal disputes may arise when diagnostic errors, such as improper ultrasound techniques or interpretation mistakes, cause, delay, or lead to inadequate treatment, resulting in long-term health consequences for a child.

Prof. Reinhard Graf has stated that diagnostic errors, especially as a consequence of tilting effects, during such a critical phase of hip development can result in significant and long-term consequences and may even lead to legal disputes. Thus the diagnosis would be wrong and the examination should not be considered valid. As these conditions do not comply with the Graf Method, certificates acknowledged to healthcare professionals could be invalidated.

Courses and Training

Training is essential for health professionals to acquire the required competences for correct diagnosis both for patients' health and for avoiding legal disputes.

HHC supports the organization of courses and provides regular updates through our dedicated Graf Method portal where the list of current courses worldwide is available along with the detailed description of the method and scientific resources.

Visit https://www.grafmethod.org for more details.

Baby System Range of Products

Graf’s Cradle (Rapid-Eco + Eco-Support)

The descriptions used in the Graf method assume the standard projection is an ultrasound image of the hip set up as a vertical right hip AP view. The Graf’s Cradle is designed to position the baby correctly for a scan, holding the newborn still without needing third-party assistance. This enables doctors to perform quick and precise medical examinations. During the scan, doctors can observe and analyze data on a monitor, with the EcoSupport allowing precise movements to avoid diagnostic errors. RapidEco is washable, made from advanced materials, and simplifies the scanning process. The system was designed, certified, and authorized by Prof. Dr. Reinhard Graf.

The Baby System products are manufactured in Italy to the highest quality standards. They are non-invasive, hypoallergenic, comfortable for infants, and easy for parents to use. At Helvetica Health Care, we provide a comprehensive range of these products on our website, ensuring parents have access to the best tools for preventing and treating DDH.