A Pavlik harness is a brace often used to treat developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in babies younger than 6 months.

The harness has fabric straps and fasteners that fit around a baby’s chest, shoulders, and legs. The harness holds the baby’s legs in a spread position, with the hips bent so that the thighs are out to the sides. This keeps the head of the thighbone (femur) in the correct position in the hip socket for normal development.