Early diagnosis of hip dislocation “important”

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32635, 17 June 1971, Page 14

Early diagnosis of hip dislocation “important”

Early diagnosis of a congenital dislocation of the hip was important, Mr H. E. > G. Stevens, an orthopaedic i surgeon, said at the annual conference of the New Zealand Orthopaedic Technicians’ Association in Christchurch yesterday. Congenital dislocation of the hip was common, but if it was treated and diagnosed at birth the person could lead a normal life, he said. If there was not an early diagnosis and treatment the result could be crippling and painful arthritis of the hip. The treatment usually was to apply a splint to hold the hip in its socket. The splint was worn for only two or three months if the diagnosis was made at birth. An older child who might have begun to walk might need a splint for 12 to 18 months. The main cause of dislocation was a laxity or slackness of the ligaments around the hip which allowed the hip to slip out of its socket. This was more likely to occur where there was a breach birth, but hormonal and genetic factors had some influence, said Mr Stevens. If

there was any history of congenital dislocation in a woman’s family her babies should be carefully checked at birth.

Dislocation usually occurred during birth or immediately afterwards and it was about four times more common in girls than in boys. The importance of early diagnosis was being recognised more and more but this was only part of the full examination which babies should have in their neo-natal period. Another orthopaedic surgeon, Mr A. B. MacKenzie, outlined what could be done with deformed or diseased joints either by replacing joints with artificial hinges, inserting metal plates, or locking the joint to eliminate pain. Too many accidents causing bone and spine injuries were caused by careless driving on the roads, the patron of the association (Mr R. Blunden) said when opening the conference.

He said that new poliomyelitis and tuberculosis cases were becoming fewer and congenital abrtormalities were getting earlier and better treatment, but the work load of orthopaedic technicians was being counter-balanced by road accidents.