Treatment of failed open reduction for congenital dislocation of the hip. A 10-year follow-up of 14 patients.

Fourteen patients with 15 congenital dislocated hips with unsuccessful open reduction were referred for a secondary open reduction. All primary open reductions were incomplete due to an inadequate exposure and insufficient release of muscles and ligaments. The secondary open reduction was technically difficult. The patients were followed for 6-17 years. Six patients had no functional symptoms. Only three hips showed no radiographic deformity. In ten hips, femoral head necrosis was noted and two patients were left with shortening of 4 and 7 cm.