[Conservative and surgical early treatment of congenital femoral dysplasia and defects to obtain early normal growth].

In three children with proximal femoral focal deficiency arthrography of the hip joint was performed at age 9 days, 4 and 5 weeks. Between the unossified part of the femoral neck and the cartilaginous femoral head there was a moderate flexibility in the first child and a lysis with some displacement of the femoral neck in the other two. After immobilisation in a squatting cast for 3 months consolidation was achieved and the growth plate developed normally. Coxa vara and retrotorsion was marked in all children. The earlier they were treated by valgus osteotomy and rotation to normal anteversion, the earlier normal growth started. Therefore early diagnosis, conservative and operative treatment is indicated in these children. Femoral lengthening is necessary then for only a few centimeters. Resection of the unossified part of the femoral neck is not indicated.