This week I speak with William Morris of the Texas Scottish Rite for Children, in Dallas. He recently published two papers questioning the efficacy of bracing for reducing the incidence of acetabular dysplasia after a closed or open reduction

We discuss the treatment of developmental dislocation of the hip by attaining stable reduction whether by closed or open means, and what acetabular dysplasia signifies

He talks about the challenges of performing a retrospective study which encompassed over 40 years experience at the Texas Scottish Rite, as well as the difficulties of interpreting handwritten notes in old medical records 

We discussed the theoretical benefit of bracing as well as the physiology implied in the development of the hip joint

We discuss surgeon preference and prescribing bracing based on acquired dogma rather than proven science

We talk about ways to supplement acetabular development other than bracing

And we talk about the possibility of setting up a randomized control trial to determine the efficacy of bracing.