Rh. Quinn et al., PRELIMINARY TRACTION IN THE TREATMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISLOCATION OFTHE HIP, Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 14(5), 1994, pp. 636-642
The benefit of preliminary traction in the treatment of developmental
dislocation of the hip has not been clearly demonstrated. We retrospec
tively analyzed the results of traction treatment of 90 dislocated hip
s in 72 patients. After a 3-week course of traction, patients underwen
t attempted closed reduction. Fifty-two hips (58%) were managed succes
sfully by closed reduction, whereas 38 hips (42%) required primary ope
n reduction. Chi2 analysis revealed no significant difference in eithe
r the rate of successful closed reduction or the incidence of avascula
r necrosis compared to recently published series in which preliminary
traction was not used. On the basis of presentation radiographs and ar
thrograms, we were unable to identify a subgroup of patients that clea
rly benefited from the use of traction in the treatment of development
al dislocation of the hip.