Development of an aid to detect adult acetabular hip dysplasia (the ALPHA alert): a mixed methods study

Evans, Elizabeth, Palmer, Shea ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5190-3264, Gambling, Tina, Sparkes, Valerie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4500-9327 and Allen, Davina ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6729-7502 2024. Development of an aid to detect adult acetabular hip dysplasia (the ALPHA alert): a mixed methods study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice 73 , 103157. 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.103157

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Abstract

Objectives: To identify the signs and symptoms that people living with acetabular hip dysplasia (AHD) describe and to provide an aid for translating the findings into practice. Methods: A three-phased mixed methods study. Phase 1 employed an open-question online survey that enabled people with AHD (aged ≥16 years) to describe features associated with their condition. Responses were thematically analysed. A Phase 2 survey used these themes to establish how common those features were. Phase 3 created a mnemonic that prompts clinicians to suspect AHD. Results: Ninety-eight respondents completed Phase 1 and sixty-two completed Phase 2. From the responses, five themes were identified: Demographic and Diagnostic Profile; Characteristics of Posture and Gait; Pain; Childhood Hip and Family History; and Hip Joint Characteristics. Within these themes, 19 common signs and symptoms were reported, represented by the ALPHA mnemonic. ALPHA describes a young age at onset of problems (Age), a limp (Limp), progressing pain (Pain), a history of childhood and family hip anomalies (History) as well as hip joint hypermobility and instability (Articulation). Conclusion: The findings extend current understanding of AHD indicators. ALPHA alerts clinicians to suspect a diagnosis of AHD. ALPHA may facilitate timelier referral of patients for diagnostic X-Ray and appropriate treatment. Future studies should evaluate its clinical utility.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > RZ Other systems of medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Hip dysplasia; Adult; Adolescent; Signs and symptoms; Indicators
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	2468-7812
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	20 August 2024
Date of Acceptance:	31 July 2024
Last Modified:	20 Aug 2024 14:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/171108

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