Detection and treatment of congenital hip dislocation in babies at risk in Western Galilee.

The orthopedic department of the Nahariya Government Hospital, together with the Mother and Child Health centers of the Ministry of Health, is aiming at early detection of congenital dislocation of the hip in Western Galilee. In suspected cases, the baby is referred to the orthopedic outpatient department where a thorough examination, usually including X-ray, is performed. One result of early detection and consequent early conservative treatment is that the number of babies requiring surgery dropped from 16.7 to 5% in recent years.