The Pavlik harness is used on infants up to 6 months of age to hold the hip in place, while allowing the legs to move a little. Your child is seen frequently during this time so that the harness may be checked for proper fit and to examine the hip. The hip may be successfully treated with the Pavlik harness, but sometimes, it may continue to be partially or completely dislocated. If the hip continues to be partially or completely dislocated, traction, casting, or surgery may be required. Traction is the application of a force to stretch certain parts of the body in a specific direction.
Traction consists of pulleys, strings, weights, and a metal frame attached over or on the bed.
The purpose of traction is to stretch the soft tissues around the hip and to allow the femoral head to move back into the hip socket. Traction is most often used for approximately 10 to 14 days. Traction can either be set up at home or in the hospital, depending upon your child's physician, hospital, and the availability of the resources. The spica cast is worn for approximately three to six months. The cast is changed from time to time to accommodate the baby's growth and to ensure the cast's rigidity, as it may soften with daily wear.