Treatment of acquired hip subluxation in cerebral palsy

Fifty-seven children with cerebral palsy and subluxated hips underwent soft tissue releases to obtain hip reductions. Eight patients in Group I (preoperatively mildly subluxated hips) had postoperative bracing, all with good results. Twenty-two unbraced patients in Group I had 14 good, 5 fair, and 3 poor results. Thirteen patients in Group II (preoperatively severely subluxated hips) received postoperative splinting with nine good, one fair, and three poor results. The 14 unbraced patients in Group II had one fair and 13 poor results. This study indicates that even severely subluxated hips in spastic children less than 6 years of age can eventually achieve stable reductions provided long-term abduction bracing is used following adequate soft tissue releases.