What is ortolani testi?

The Ortolani test is a physical examination technique used to diagnose developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in infants. It is named after the Italian pediatrician Dr. Marino Ortolani who developed the test in the 1950s.

During the Ortolani test, the baby is placed on their back, and their hip is gently flexed and abducted. The doctor will then apply pressure to the baby's knee and gently push the hip forward. If the hip is dislocated or subluxed, the femoral head will feel like it is slipping in and out of the acetabulum, and a "clunk" or "click" may be felt or heard. If the hip is normal, there will be no clunk or click felt.

The Ortolani test is considered a cornerstone of the infant hip examination, along with the Barlow maneuver, which is a similar examination technique but in the opposite direction. These tests are essential in detecting DDH early when the baby's joints are still developing, as untreated DDH can result in lifelong hip problems, including arthritis and mobility issues.