Non-Surgical Treatment of Congenital Dislocation of the Hip

¹ Department of Orthopedic Surgery, State University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

Early treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip is the only means of obtaining good results with consistent regularity. All cases of congenital dislocation of the hip should be diagnosed and treated in early infancy, preferably during the first weeks of life.

When the diagnosis is made after the patient starts to walk, well directed coservations treatment offers satisfactory results in a large percentage of congenital dislocations of the hip. Open reductions are seldom necessary in children under three years of age.

Accurate centering of the femoral head in the acetabulum and correction of femoral-neck anteversion are obtained by placing the limbs in the first position for a prolonged period of time. An abduction brace worn at night and during napping hours for several years after reduction often prevents hip subluxations. Preoperative traction and adductor tenotomy at the time of the reduction decrease the incidence of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

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