Prognostic value of refined Wiberg's angle in hip development.

There are many angles measured on hip radiographs, but their prognostic value for hip development in patient with DDH is controversial. Our aim was to find out how the development of congenitally luxated hip could be predicted after reduction using Wiberg's CE angle and CE angle refined according to Ogata. 119 hips of 61 patients were retrospectively evaluated after reduction from 3 months of age until at least full osteomaturity. According to results of CE angles measurements good and poor hip development group were formed. Healthy hips of the patients with unilateral DDH were considered to be the control group. Negative linear trend of the curve connecting Wiberg's CE angle values measured within first postreductive years is a poor prognostic sign of hip development as are absolute negative values of refined CE angles. In cases where negative initial refined CE angles are combined with negative linear trend of Wiberg's CE angles prognosis is extremely poor. Both Wiberg's and Ogata's CE angle are of prognostic value regarding hip development and should be measured when evaluating AP radiographs of infant's hip.