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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Surgical Technique of the 3-Dimensional-printed Personalized Hip Implant for the Treatment of Canine Hip Dysplasia
Published on: April 19, 2024
Surgical treatment of hip dislocation in early infancy
F M Lotito1, F Sadile, F Cigala
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy. flotito@tin.it
Insights
Clinical and ultrasonographic screening have significantly reduced the need for hip dislocation surgery. This paper details surgical indications and a lateral open reduction approach for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in rare, missed cases.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is a congenital condition affecting hip joint development.
- Historically, surgical intervention was common, but screening advancements have altered its natural history.
- Early detection through clinical and ultrasonographic methods has decreased the necessity for operative treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize long-term experience in treating dislocated and subluxated hips in DDH.
- To outline current indications for surgical hip reduction.
- To describe a specific lateral open reduction approach and subsequent radiological assessment for residual dysplasia.
Main Methods:
- Review of surgical treatment for hip dislocation and subluxation in DDH since the 1960s.
- Description of indications for surgical intervention in cases missed by screening.
- Detailed explanation of the lateral open hip reduction technique.
- Radiological assessment protocols for evaluating residual dysplasia post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Surgical intervention is now reserved for rare cases of true congenital severe hip dislocation or those missed during screening.
- The paper advocates for a lateral open reduction approach for dislocated hips.
- Radiological assessment is crucial for planning corrective osteotomies (pelvic or femoral) to address residual joint alterations.
Conclusions:
- Clinical and ultrasonographic screening have dramatically reduced the need for surgical hip dislocation treatment.
- Surgical treatment, including a lateral open reduction, remains essential for specific, rare DDH cases.
- Post-operative radiological evaluation guides further management, such as osteotomies, to correct residual dysplasia.
Abstract:
The necessity to operate on hip dislocation has decreased because the natural history of this congenital disease has been completely changed by using clinical and ultrasonographic screening. At present in our country surgical reduction is indicated in the rare cases of true congenital severe hip dislocation or in the few cases missed during screening. Our long experience in the treatment of such pathology since the start of the 1960s is summarized in this paper in which we describe our indications in surgical treatment of dislocated and subluxated hips affected by DDH. We point out our approach to open the dislocated hip laterally explaining the advantage of this particular and not common approach. We also describe the radiological assessment necessary to evaluate residual dysplasia in order to plan the necessary pelvic or femoral osteotomy to correct these residual joint alterations.
