Aim: To study the adequacy of reduction of DDH postoperatively using MRI.

Method: Ten consecutive children with DDH who underwent open reduction and femoral osteotomy using Coventry stainless steel implants were scanned postoperatively.

Results: MRI gave reliable diagnostic information in all cases. The position of the femoral head in the acetabulum was clearly seen, despite artefact due to the metal. The mean scanning time was 3 minutes 45 seconds (range: 2 minutes 20 seconds – 5 minutes 30 seconds) and the total time in the MRI suite was between 7 and 10 minutes. No child required sedation.

Conclusions: The use of MRI scanning has been described after closed and open reduction of the hip in DDH to check hip position but has not previously been reported after open reduction with femoral osteotomy and the use of metalwork. Satisfactory images, comparable time and cost to CT scanning and the lack of exposure to ionising radiation make MRI an appealing method of imaging. We recommend it as the investigation of choice in this patient group.