Summer 2025 (Volume 35, Number 2)

Preventing a Lifetime of Arthritis Pain Through Early Detection

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Each year, an estimated 10,500 babies in Canada are born with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip, also known as hip dysplasia—a condition that, if undiagnosed in infancy, can lead to irreversible joint damage, chronic pain and mobility issues. Despite its seriousness, current screening techniques may miss up to 90 per cent of cases.

Yet when caught early, hip dysplasia is easily corrected with a simple brace, avoiding surgery and high healthcare costs, and reducing the risk of developing arthritis later in life. A timely diagnosis can change the course of a child’s future.

As part of its mission to create a pain-free future, Arthritis Society Canada has partnered with Dr. Jacob Jaremko, pediatric musculoskeletal radiologist at the University of Alberta, to advance AI-powered ultrasound technology that detects hip dysplasia in seconds. With each scan, the tool becomes more accurate, requiring minimal training, which means it has immense potential to be scaled across the country.

With dedicated new funding, the model is growing and being implemented in three Alberta hubs, with a focus on rural, remote and Indigenous communities. Through this funding, over 2,000 scans have identified 45 cases of hip dysplasia, 29 of which standard physical exams would likely have missed.

Learn more about how you can support this project at arthritis.ca/naps.