Can a Hip Diagnosed as Graf Type 1According to Graf Checklist Deteriorate Over Time? A Case Series and Evaluation of the Graf Method

INTRODUCTION: According to the Graf method, mature Type 1 hips will not worsen overtime. However, some cases have been reported in literature of hips which were initially Graf Type 1 hips and then worsened later. Our aim is to show the mistakes of the hip sonograms, which had been diagnosed as a mature Graf Type 1 hips. CASE REPORT: A review of literature revealed four studies initially diagnosed as Graf Type 1 hips and which then worsened overtime. Professor Graf has previously stated that measurements from inappropriate sonograms may result in an incorrect diagnosis. In this paper, the four aforementioned studies and their sonograms reported in literature were evaluated according to the Graf technique. In the light of the findings, it was discussed whether a mature hip could worsen overtime. In the reported cases, some of the deficiencies according to the Graf checklist were determined. CONCLUSION: From this examination, it can be concluded that Type 1 mature hips which worsened overtime, except for special circumstances as previously mentioned by Professor Graf, are related to an initial wrong diagnosis. As a result, if a Graf Type 1 hip was determined appropriately according to Graf checklist, it will never worsen later in normal circumstances.