LONG-TERM COURSE OF TRAUMATIC HIP DISLOCATION IN CHILDHOOD

Traumatic hip dislocation is a rare emergency situation in childhood. Long-term follow-up (10 1/12 years [10/12-20 years]) of 9 patients treated at our institution between 1971 and 1992 revealed no late sequelae. There was no case of necrosis of the femoral head. One patient had a recurrent dislocation of the hip 17 and 18 years after the first dislocation. For postreduction treatment we propose bedrest until pain reliefs and mobilisation with crutches for 4 weeks. Regular clinical and radiographic controls, including bone scan and/or MRI, are mandatory during the first 2 years.