A total of 108 patients with unilateral congenital dislocation of the hip treatedby the same therapeutic approach, are reviewed. The protocol for treatment consisted in tractionand open or closed reduction, depending of the arthrographic findings. After 7-year follow-up(range, 5-13), 5 (5%) had coxa magna, 14 (13%) showed a decrease in epiphyseal height, 22(20%) exhibited both coxa magna and decreased epiphyseal height, and 10 (9%) showed physealdamage. The statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship (p < 0,05) between the developmentof coxa magna with decreased epiphyseal height and both an absence of femoral headdescent after traction and an open reduction of the hip. Physeal damage was found to be associatedto Tönnis type-IV congenital dislocation, to hips undergoing more than 5 weeks traction, tofailed cephalic descent following traction and an open reduction procedure. In conclusion, aeffective preoperative hip traction allowing an appropriate descent of the femoral head to theacetabulum is recommended in order to prevent radiological alterations induced by avascularnecrosis.

A total of 108 patients with unilateral congenital dislocation of the hip treatedby the same therapeutic approach, are reviewed. The protocol for treatment consisted in tractionand open or closed reduction, depending of the arthrographic findings. After 7-year follow-up(range, 5-13), 5 (5%) had coxa magna, 14 (13%) showed a decrease in epiphyseal height, 22(20%) exhibited both coxa magna and decreased epiphyseal height, and 10 (9%) showed physealdamage. The statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship (p < 0,05) between the developmentof coxa magna with decreased epiphyseal height and both an absence of femoral headdescent after traction and an open reduction of the hip. Physeal damage was found to be associatedto Tönnis type-IV congenital dislocation, to hips undergoing more than 5 weeks traction, tofailed cephalic descent following traction and an open reduction procedure. In conclusion, aeffective preoperative hip traction allowing an appropriate descent of the femoral head to theacetabulum is recommended in order to prevent radiological alterations induced by avascularnecrosis.