Prenatal Ultrasound for Diagnosis of Orthopaedic Conditions

Background: Use of ultrasound in the prenatal period is increasing and musculoskeletal anomalies are often found. Parents-to-be are often confronted with the reality of a potentially imperfect child part-way into the pregnancy. Prenatal counseling with a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon may be of some benefit to alleviate concerns. Methods: Musculoskeletal anomalies found on prenatal ultrasound are reviewed, including those in the upper extremeity, spine, syndromes, and lower extremity. Incidence and associated anomalies are discussed. Results: Many different musculoskeletal anomalies across a broad spectrum of potential severity may be found on prenatal ultrasound. In most cases, isolated musculoskeletal diagnoses have the potential for excellent long-term function. Prenatal counseling with the parents-to-be may properly inform them of the issues and treatment expectations for their unborn child, and relieve their concerns and fears. Conclusions: Prenatal counseling with a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon for musculoskeletal diagnoses found on ultrasound may alleviate fears of the parents and better inform them of the treatment expectations for their unborn child.