Comprehensive assessment of infant health: ultrasound and the role of the physical therapist in early diagnosis

When is it worth performing a hip ultrasound? The first months of a child's life are an extremely dynamic period of development – this is when the nervous system, movement patterns, and the foundations of correct posture are formed. At the same time, this is the time when it is easiest to detect subtle abnormalities before they begin to affect further development. That is why comprehensive diagnostics for infants, combining orthopedic examination, hip ultrasound, and professional physiotherapeutic assessment, is so important.

In Poland, hip ultrasound in infants is a mandatory examination – it should be performed on every baby in the 4th–6th week of life and again at around 12 weeks. However, at the Paley European Institute, the scope of this diagnostic procedure is significantly expanded so that parents receive a complete picture of their child's health and development.

From this article you will learn:

• Why is hip ultrasound so important?
• Why is an orthopedic assessment alone not enough?
• What does a comprehensive assessment at the Paley European Institute look like?
• In-depth physiotherapy assessment
• Orthopedic assessment with hip ultrasound
• The Prechtl method (GMA) – the gold standard in early detection of neurological disorders
• What do parents gain?
• Summary — Ultrasound examination of hip joints in infants

Why is hip ultrasound so important?

A hip ultrasound is one of the most important tests performed in the first weeks of life. It allows for the detection of dysplasia—a disorder of the hip joint that can lead to walking difficulties, pelvic deformities, or chronic pain in the future.

Early diagnosis of dysplasia usually means:

• short and non-invasive treatment,
• a full chance for proper development,
• avoiding difficult and costly surgical interventions in the future.

That is why hip ultrasounds are routinely performed on all newborns, regardless of whether any worrying symptoms have been observed. This is the standard of care recommended by orthopedists, neonatologists, and pediatric orthopedic specialists.

Why is an orthopedic assessment alone not enough?

Although hip ultrasound provides key information, it does not give a complete answer to the question of whether the child's development is proceeding normally. Many disorders first manifest themselves in the way the child moves, muscle tone, head control, or spontaneous activity. These are the areas in which a pediatric physical therapist plays a key role.

At the Paley European Institute, the diagnostic visit is designed to:

• see the child "in action,"
• understand his individual development profile,
• combine knowledge in the field of psychomotor development and orthopedics,
• respond in a timely manner.

The result is a comprehensive, two-pronged assessment, thanks to which parents receive not only the ultrasound results, but also answers to questions about how their child is developing.

What does a comprehensive assessment at the Paley European Institute look like?

The visit lasts up to 90 minutes and consists of two parts: a 30-minute detailed physiotherapy assessment and a 60-minute orthopedic consultation with ultrasound examination of the hip joints in infants.

In-depth physiotherapy assessment

At our institute, an in-depth physiotherapy assessment is conducted by a qualified pediatric physiotherapist. It is based on:

• observation of the child's spontaneous activity and behavior,
• standard clinical tests (Landau, traction, primitive reflexes),
• assessment of reactions to changes in position,
• vision and hearing tests,
• knowledge of the physiology of development and the most common pathologies of infancy,
• selected diagnostic scale elements.

The Paley European Institute team has developed a proprietary infant assessment chart that guarantees repeatability and the highest quality of diagnosis. The physical therapist not only detects abnormalities, but also explains their significance and shows how to support the child's development on a daily basis.

Orthopedic assessment with hip ultrasound

The examination is conducted by Karolina Siwicka, MD, PhD, a specialist with many years of experience in infant diagnostics. The scope of the examination includes:

• Ultrasound of the hips with assessment of joint shape and maturity,
• assessment of the lower and upper limbs and spine,
• analysis of body symmetry and limb alignment,
• care instructions (carrying, lifting, placing),
• possible referral to specialists, if the situation requires it.

This combination of tests not only allows us to determine whether the hips are developing properly, but also to assess how the entire musculoskeletal system is functioning.

The Prechtl method (GMA) – the gold standard in early detection of neurological disorders

The Paley European Institute also offers assessments based on the Prechtl method, i.e., the Global Motor Assessment (GMA).

Key information:

• It is a non-invasive screening method with very high predictive accuracy.
• allows the detection of MPD and other neurological disorders before visible symptoms appear,
• assessment is based on video recordings of spontaneous activity,
• the analysis is possible up to a maximum of 5 months of age,
• The Paley European Institute employs therapists who are certified in or knowledgeable about the method.

This tool can change the trajectory of a child's development—the earlier the disorder is detected, the more effective the therapy.

What do parents gain?

During one visit, they receive:

• a reliable, multi-specialist orthopedic and developmental assessment,
• clear explanation of whether the child's development is proceeding normally,
• recommendations for care, stimulation, and daily activities,
• the possibility of referral to a neurologist, geneticist, or other specialists,
• information about the possible risk of developmental disorders,
• sense of security – your child is in the hands of an experienced team.

Package price: PLN 490.

Why the Paley European Institute? It is a place where diagnostics are based on:

• teamwork between physical therapists and orthopedists,
• standards developed by global experts in pediatric orthopedics,
• thorough analysis of psychomotor development,
• long-term approach – we think about the child's health today and in the future.

At the Paley European Institute, parents don't have to wonder if something has been overlooked. In one place, they receive a complete picture of the situation and clear, practical guidance for the weeks and months ahead.

Summary — Ultrasound examination of hip joints in infants

A comprehensive assessment of an infant at the Paley European Institute involves not only mandatory hip ultrasounds, but above all integrated diagnostics combining the knowledge of an orthopedist, physiotherapist, and child development specialists. This makes it possible to:

• detection of irregularities at a very early stage,
• implementation of effective, targeted therapy,
• support for parents in the daily care of their child.

It is an investment in healthy and harmonious development from the very first months of life.