Evelyn Kuong: The Hong Kong Experience and hip dysplasia in Spinal Muscular Atrophy

On today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Evelyn Kuong, a consultant in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology and an Honorary Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong. We start by discussing her recent research on predicting residual dysplasia at skeletal maturity after closed reduction for developmental dislocation of the hip, identifying age-specific acetabular index cutoffs that can help guide decision-making when monitoring patients post-reduction.From there, we dive into her work on establishing normative radiographic values for hip dysplasia in a pediatric Chinese population. Her findings reveal significant differences compared to Northern European reference values, highlighting the importance of region-specific data in diagnosis and treatment. We also explore the broader implications of these differences—considering not just genetics but also environmental and lifestyle factors, particularly in today’s increasingly globalized world.We touch on the limitations of standard radiographs in assessing a complex, three-dimensional structure like the hip while recognizing their practicality as the most widely accessible imaging tool worldwide.Finally, we wrap up with a discussion on spinal muscular atrophy and the impact of disease-modifying drugs like Nusinersen. Dr. Kuong’s research suggests that while these treatments improve certain functional outcomes, they haven’t addressed hip instability. With longer life expectancy and better function in these patients, there may be a case for a more proactive surgical approach—particularly in SMA type 2.