Iatrogenic avascular necrosis of the hip in young children: a long-term follow-up.

The purpose of this study is to report the long-term results of six children with iatrogenic avascular necrosis of one hip. The avascular necrosis occurred in the originally normal hip that was immobilized as part of treatment for congenital dislocation of the contralateral hip. At time of treatment, they ranged in age from 1 to 16 months, and at follow-up, 29 to 35 years. At time of final review, one had a roentgenographically normal hip, but five had residual structural abnormalities, of which two were severe. None had developed degenerative changes, but two had complaints of mild to moderate hip pain. This report presents the sequelae of avascular necrosis in a normal hip in six children and emphasizes that in treatment of congenital hip problems, vascular damage to the normal hip can occur and result in permanent deformities.