Untreated congenital and posttraumatic high dislocation of the hip treated by replacement in adult age: 22 hips in 16 patients followed for 1-8 years.

Between 1993 and 2001, we replaced 22 hips in 16 patients with high dislocation of the hip. All but 1 case was due to congenital dislocation. In all cases the femur was osteotomized below the lesser trochanter and a straight uncemented stem inserted in the medullary canal. The acetabular prostheses were inserted at the site of the original acetabulum, usually after augmenting the acetabular rim by using the medial half of the resected proximal femur. The lateral part of the proximal femur with the intact attachment of the gluteus medius muscle was transposed and fixed to the femoral diaphysis thereby restoring direction of muscle pull. The HHS score increased from a median value of 42 points preoperatively to a median of 86 points after median 25 months of follow-up. Limp, which before surgery was severe in all cases, was less marked or had disappeared at follow-up. The legs had been lengthened median 2.5 (1.0-4.5) cm. No postoperative infections occurred. Palsy or loss of sensory function was not observed in any patient. Dislocation was the commonest complication. It occurred in 3 hips, 2 of which had to be revised to ensure stability.