[Surgical treatment of dislocated hips after 5 years of age]

Fifty dislocated hips after the age of 5 were treated between 1975 and 1980. The surgical procedures performed combined tenotomy of the iliopsoas and adductor muscles, shortening of the femur, capsulorraphy and a pelvic osteotomy usually for re-orientation (Salter procedure) and rarely for widening of the acetabulum (Chiari procedure). It is thought that tenotomies and femoral shortening were more efficient than pre-operative traction which produced osteoporosis. However post-operative traction was used. In some cases plaster cast immobilisation was not used. The advantages of this technique were an acceleration of the surgical programme, better articular stability and early mobilisation. Osteochondritis and post operative stiffness were rare. The average range of movement included 90 degrees of flexion and lumbar balance was the most significantly improved factor. This type of surgical procedure aims to slow the development of coxarthrosis but it cannot diminish the risk. The limit of age for such treatment appears to be 10 years. After that, the indications need to be assessed carefully.