Bilateral dislocation of the hip in spina bifida: a long-term follow-up study

Nineteen patients with spina bifida and bilateral dislocation of the hips were studied with a minimal follow-up of 10 years. The average age at review was 21 years (range, 10-31). Ten patients had an upper neurologic level (thoracic to L3), and nine had a low lesion (L4 to sacrum). Three patients had no hip surgery. A closed or open reduction was performed in 12 hips, supplemented by one or more surgical procedures. Of these, 10 remained enlocated, and two had redislocated. In all other hips, several surgical procedures were performed, aimed at improvement of hip-flexion deformity or stability. At follow-up, one patient had occasional pain in one hip, which was dysplastic. Of the 10 patients with a high lesion, only two were walkers, but both had bilateral dislocation of the hips at follow-up. In contrast, all nine patients were walkers, but four of these had bilateral dislocation at follow-up. We found that a level pelvis and good range of motion of the hips are more important for ambulation than is reduction of bilateral hip dislocation.