Hip dislocation in spina bifida: when is surgery required  and what type of surgery should be performed?

Children with spina bifida develop a wide variety of congenital and acquired hip joint deformities. Among these are contractures, subluxation or dislocation. This paper will review both the overall orthopedic care of a spina bifida patient with hip problems and provide a focused review of surgery management of hip deformities. Special emphasis is placed on the indications and contraindications to surgery based on a literature review and the author's personal experience.