What condition is indicated if the hip can be dislocated with the Barlow maneuver?

The Barlow maneuver is a clinical test used to assess for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in infants. This condition is characterized by a shallow or underdeveloped hip socket, which can allow the femoral head to move in and out of the socket. During the Barlow maneuver, the hip is flexed and adducted while applying gentle pressure to attempt to dislocate the hip. If the hip can be dislocated during this maneuver, it indicates that there is instability and confirms the presence of developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease involves avascular necrosis of the femoral head and would not typically present with a dislocatable hip as seen in the Barlow maneuver. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is characterized by displacement of the femoral head and is also not indicated by the Barlow test, which is specific for hip stability. Piriformis syndrome, related to compression of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle, does not involve hip dislocation and is unrelated to the conditions assessed by the Barlow maneuver. Thus, when a hip can be dislocated with the Barlow maneuver, it strongly points to developmental dysplasia of the hip as