Types of persistent dysplasia in congenital dislocation of the hip

This article reports five types of persistent bony dysplasia in patients with congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH), suggests the pathogeneses, and discusses the treatment options. We consider the five types to be (1) maldirected acetabulum, (2) capacious acetabulum, (3) false acetabulum, (4) lateralized acetabulum, and (5) femoral deformity. The maldirected acetabulum persists when the acetabulum continues to face forward and laterally. The capacious acetabulum arises from joint instability; capsular laxity permits the proximal femur to slide within the acetabulum. The false acetabulum results from an ectopic fibrocartilaginous cavity in the pelvis created by the subluxated or dislocated femoral head.44 The lateralized acetabulum occurs with ossification of the cotyloid cavity from longstanding lateral subluxation or dislocation or premature closure of the triradiate cartilage. Femoral deformities include valgus and anteversion of the femoral neck, capital femoral physeal growth arrest, discrepancy between the greater trochanter and the femoral head, and femoral head asphericity. After clinical and radiographic evaluation, we believe that an understanding of the pathogeneses and types of dysplasia will facilitate appropriate treatment programs. Treatments consist of acetabular redirection, acetabular reconstruction, femoral osteotomies, and salvage procedures.