The congenital dislocation of the hip joint in ultrasound examination - frequency, diagnosis and treatment

Background A real congenital dislocation of the hip joint is very rare. Because of the severeness of the disease an immediate diagnosis and begin of treatment is required. Patients Between 1984 and 1995 clinical and sonographic screening examinations at 4177 newborns were performed at our hospital. Methods We analyzed our patients retrospectively and found out all cases of congenital dislocation of the hip joint. All these cases were classified and the results of treatment were determined. The clinical success of our strategy of treatment was described. Results among the 4177 observed newborns 39 cases of congenital dislocation of the hip joint in 27 children were found. We diagnosed the hip type IIIa, IIIb and IV according to Graf in 28.2 and 9 cases respectively. After 12 month a complete healing rate of 95 percent was exhibited with the functional management strategy. Five per cent of the affected joints showed a residual dysplasia. The rate of residual dysplasias was 2.5%. Conclusions The good prognosis after our early treatment strategy severe congenital dislocation of the hip joint underlines the use of earliest therapy together with a hip screening program.