Treatment of the irreducible hip

"Irreducible" congenital dislocation of the hip should not be regarded as a special pathological entity. Thirty-eight cases with a previous and failed treatment attempt were reviewed. Recognition of the renal cause of "irreducibility" (iatrogenic or anatomopathological) and institution of an appropriate treatment protocol result in adequate reduction in the vast majority of cases. However, osteochondritis is not an uncommon finding when the results of secondary treatment are evaluated. The percentage of more severe cases is higher after open procedures.