Natural history of avascular necrosis following traumatic hip dislocation in childhood: a review of 145 cases.

One hundred and forty-five cases of traumatic hip dislocation in children, complicated with avascular necrosis, were reviewed. Necrosis involved the capital epiphysis and the growth plate, and the resulting changes followed different patterns. These changes in younger children were mostly dependent on the disturbance of the growth plate, and resembled Calvé-Perthes' disease in most of its features. In older children necrosis of the femoral head occurred, as in adults. Analysis of long-term results suggest that the frequency of deformities is extremely high, and a significant incidence of degenerative joint disease can be anticipated.