Barlow maneuver
Encyclopedia
The Barlow maneuver is a physical examination performed on infant
s to screen for developmental dysplasia of the hip
. It is named for T.G. Barlow, 1962 at Hope Hospital Salford, Manchester.
The maneuver is easily performed by adducting
the hip (bringing the thigh towards the midline) while applying light pressure on the knee, directing the force posteriorly. If the hip is dislocatable - that is, if the hip can be popped out of socket with this maneuver - the test is considered positive. The Ortolani maneuver is then used, to confirm the positive finding (i.e., that the hip actually dislocated).
Infant
A newborn or baby is the very young offspring of a human or other mammal. A newborn is an infant who is within hours, days, or up to a few weeks from birth. In medical contexts, newborn or neonate refers to an infant in the first 28 days after birth...
s to screen for developmental dysplasia of the hip
Hip dysplasia (human)
Hip dysplasia, developmental dysplasia of the hip or congenital dysplasia of the hip is a congenital or acquired deformation or misalignment of the hip joint.-Terminology:...
. It is named for T.G. Barlow, 1962 at Hope Hospital Salford, Manchester.
The maneuver is easily performed by adducting
Adduction
Adduction is a movement which brings a part of the anatomy closer to the middle sagittal plane of the body. It is opposed to abduction.-Upper limb:* of arm at shoulder ** Subscapularis** Teres major** Pectoralis major** Infraspinatus...
the hip (bringing the thigh towards the midline) while applying light pressure on the knee, directing the force posteriorly. If the hip is dislocatable - that is, if the hip can be popped out of socket with this maneuver - the test is considered positive. The Ortolani maneuver is then used, to confirm the positive finding (i.e., that the hip actually dislocated).
See also
- Hip dysplasia (human)Hip dysplasia (human)Hip dysplasia, developmental dysplasia of the hip or congenital dysplasia of the hip is a congenital or acquired deformation or misalignment of the hip joint.-Terminology:...