Surgical treatment for hip pain in the adult cerebral palsy patient.

Hip subluxation or dislocation in the cerebral palsy population is an acquired condition that can result in pain and limitation of function. The incidence is reported to be from 18 to 59%. Awareness of the factors that cause the problem are essential in order to prevent this condition. Early treatment consists of appropriate muscle lengthening or releases, varus rotation hip osteotomies and in some cases pelvic osteotomies to provide acetabular coverage for the femoral head. For painful hip subluxation or dislocation with arthrosis in the adolescent or adult salvage procedures such as hip arthrodesis, valgus osteotomy, proximal femoral resection, or total hip arthroplasty have all been done to relieve pain. The author recounts his experience of the surgical management of the hip in the individual with cerebral palsy.