[Pediatric traumatic hip joint dislocation--overview of the topic based on 9 personal, previously unpublished cases]

We report on 8 patients with 9 traumatic hip dislocations in childhood. The follow-up period was between 1 and 21 years. The majority of these rare injuries were caused by major, sometimes, however, by minor trauma. The best prognosis is given by an immediately performed closed reduction in the absence of bony injuries. Five of our patients had associated bony injuries (fractures of the femoral shaft, acetabular fractures). Two of our patients developed an avascular necrosis of the femoral head which needed further surgery; in one case we found a premature closure of the proximal femoral epiphyseal plate, a fourth patient developed premature osteoarthritis due to a concomitant acetabular fracture. Clinical and radiological examination of all other patients showed no residues of the former injury.