AI Enhances Hip Dysplasia Diagnosis, Improves Efficiency for Healthcare Pro

Published Date : 28/09/2025 

New research from Perth medical experts shows that artificial intelligence (AI) can diagnose hip dysplasia in children as accurately as medical experts, but 30 times faster. This breakthrough could transform healthcare, particularly in remote areas and low-income countries. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is on par with medical experts in diagnosing hip dysplasia in children, and it can do it 30 times faster. This significant finding comes from new research conducted by medical experts in Perth, Australia, and it has the potential to revolutionize the diagnostic landscape for healthcare workers.

About one in 100 infants worldwide are affected by hip dysplasia, a condition characterized by the instability of the hip or hip socket, which can lead to dislocation. Delayed diagnosis can result in chronic low-back pain, early degenerative joint disease, or arthritis, potentially necessitating total hip replacement early in life.

Researchers from the University of Western Australia and the Child and Adolescent Health Service, Chandra Rath and Suketu Bhavsar, reviewed 23 studies that utilized AI to interpret over 15,000 medical images of children from birth to 10 years old. Their findings, published in the Royal Australasian College of Physicians’ Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, revealed that AI not only matches the diagnostic accuracy of clinical experts but also significantly speeds up the process.

This promising technology offers several benefits, including early detection and treatment to prevent long-term joint problems or major surgery later in life. It can also reduce the number of appointments and hospital visits for new parents, improving access to early screening, especially in remote areas where specialists are scarce.

Dr. Rath, one of the lead researchers, expressed optimism about the future of AI in healthcare, stating, “We are hoping to see this in hospitals in the next five years.” Both Dr. Rath and Dr. Bhavsar, neonatologists, emphasized the potential of AI to automate manual tasks, ensure service consistency, and enhance patient care.

One of the most significant advantages is the ability to obtain high-quality images with minimal training. “If a junior doctor with less training or a nurse or midwife can take good images, radiologists will be left with much less volume of work,” Dr. Rath noted. With the World Health Organization (WHO) projecting a shortage of 11 million health workers by 2030, this task shifting could be crucial in low- and middle-income countries, where specialized workers are already in short supply and diagnostic costs are high.

However, the researchers are aware of the challenges facing the implementation of diagnostic AI. Poor quality ultrasound or x-ray images and different imaging angles can reduce accuracy, and patient diversity must be considered. “We need to train the AI with vast and diverse populations,” Dr. Bhavsar explained. “AI can also be trained with blurry images, reversed images, or noisy images to become more reliable when applied in various settings.”

Before AI can be used in clinical settings, it will undergo rigorous testing and optimization to ensure it delivers expert-level accuracy and helps clinicians increase diagnostic efficiency while reducing workloads. The goal is not to replace healthcare systems but to create a partnership with AI, leveraging its speed and consistency along with the diagnostic expertise of physicians to create a more effective and efficient healthcare system.

Despite the challenges, the potential benefits of AI in diagnosing hip dysplasia are undeniable. Early detection and treatment can prevent long-term complications, and the technology can significantly improve access to healthcare, particularly in underserved areas. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is hip dysplasia?

A: Hip dysplasia is a condition characterized by the instability of the hip or hip socket, which can lead to dislocation. It affects about one in 100 infants worldwide and can cause chronic low-back pain, early degenerative joint disease, or arthritis.

Q: How does AI help in diagnosing hip dysplasia?

A: AI can diagnose hip dysplasia as accurately as medical experts but 30 times faster. This technology can significantly reduce the workload of healthcare providers and improve early detection and treatment.

Q: What are the benefits of using AI in healthcare?

A: The benefits of using AI in healthcare include early detection and treatment, reduced workload for healthcare providers, fewer hospital visits for patients, and improved access to early screening, especially in remote areas.

Q: Are there any challenges in implementing AI for diagnosing hip dysplasia?

A: Yes, challenges include poor quality images, different imaging angles, and the need to train AI with diverse populations. Rigorous testing and optimization are also required before AI can be used in clinical settings.

Q: How soon could AI be used in hospitals for diagnosing hip dysplasia?

A: Researchers are hopeful that AI could be used in hospitals within the next five years. However, it will undergo extensive testing and optimization to ensure it meets the required standards of accuracy and reliability. 

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