Ortolani is a test performed to find out?

Appeared in: AIIMS CRE 2025

Explanation

The Ortolani test is a standard screening maneuver for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH), also known as congenital hip dislocation.
The test is performed by gently abducting the infant's flexed thigh while applying upward pressure on the greater trochanter.
A positive Ortolani sign is a palpable 'clunk' as the dislocated femoral head slips back into the acetabulum (hip socket), confirming a reducible dislocation.

Option A: Fractures are diagnosed using imaging like X-rays and signs such as swelling, deformity, and localized pain, not by the Ortolani maneuver.
Option B: This is a general term. Specific bone injuries are diagnosed with targeted physical exams and imaging, not a hip-specific maneuver like Ortolani's.
Option C: Club foot (talipes equinovarus) is a congenital deformity of the foot and ankle that is diagnosed by visual inspection at birth and does not involve the hip.

Visual 1: Diagram: Illustration of the Ortolani maneuver, showing the examiner's hand placement and the movement of the infant's hip from a dislocated to a reduced position.
Visual 2: Table: Comparison of the Barlow and Ortolani tests, highlighting the action, purpose, and positive finding for each.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Screening tests for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Early detection of DDH through screening tests like the Ortolani maneuver is crucial for successful non-surgical treatment (e.g., Pavlik harness) and preventing long-term complications like limping, pain, and arthritis.
Nurses play a key role in performing newborn assessments, identifying risk factors for DDH (breech birth, family history), and educating parents on follow-up care.
What if? If the Ortolani test is performed on an infant older than 3 months, it is often negative even if a dislocation is present. This is because soft tissues tighten, making reduction difficult. In older infants, limited hip abduction becomes a more reliable sign.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question asking for the purpose of a specific clinical test.
First, identify the key term in the question: 'Ortolani test'.
Recall from your knowledge of pediatric nursing assessments that this is a test performed on newborns.
Consider the anatomical location associated with the test. It involves manipulation of the hip.
Evaluate the options. 'Congenital hip dislocation' is a condition of the hip joint in newborns, which aligns with the purpose of the Ortolani test.
Eliminate other options: 'Fractures' and 'Bone injuries' are too general and diagnosed differently. 'Club foot' affects the foot, not the hip.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QGl8a9JP0TTjjohWRB2ejc

Practise the full AIIMS CRE 2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.