Hip reduction in cerebral palsy with soft tissue operative procedures

Hip reduction in cerebral palsy patients with a soft tissue procedure was analysed during operative procedure. Eleven patients with unilateral dislocation of the hip and a quadriplegic form of cerebral palsy underwent soft tissue operation on the hips. Tenotomy of the adductor and flexor muscles of the hip was performed. The contralateral hip sustained only tenotomy of the adductor muscles. The average age of the patient study group was 8.5 and the follow-up period was 4 years. In all patients, repositionings of the hip were achieved and stabilization was maintained postoperatively at the regular outpatient follow-up. The range of extension and abduction motion were increased postoperatively compared to the preoperative range of motion. Retention of the hip was maintained within 20 degrees of abduction. Tenotomy of the adductor and flexor muscles enables hip reduction without opening the joint capsule in quadriplegic cerebral palsy patients. The hip became painless and the improvement in the hygiene was evident.