A newborn infant who has a positive result on the Ortolani Test is MOST likely to have which of the following conditions?

A newborn infant who has a positive result on the Ortolani Test is MOST likely to have which of the following conditions?

• A. Hip dysplasia
• B. Femoral anteversion
• C. Metatarsus adductus
• D. Talipes equinovarus

Answer: (A)

Ortolani testing screens for instability of the hip in a newborn. When the hips are flexed and then abducted, a dislocated femoral head that reduces back into the acetabulum often produces a palpable or audible clunk. That clunk signifies developmental dysplasia of the hip, which is what the test is designed to detect. The other conditions listed—femoral anteversion, metatarsus adductus, and talipes equinovarus—are deformities of the thigh, foot, or ankle and do not produce a positive Ortolani sign.

Ortolani testing screens for instability of the hip in a newborn. When the hips are flexed and then abducted, a dislocated femoral head that reduces back into the acetabulum often produces a palpable or audible clunk. That clunk signifies developmental dysplasia of the hip, which is what the test is designed to detect. The other conditions listed—femoral anteversion, metatarsus adductus, and talipes equinovarus—are deformities of the thigh, foot, or ankle and do not produce a positive Ortolani sign.