USE OF ILIOFEMORAL DISTRACTION IN REDUCING HIGH CONGENITAL DISLOCATION OF THE HIP BEFORE TOTAL HIP-ARTHROPLASTY

The iliofemoral distraction with Wagner's apparatus was conducted in 2 0 adult patients with untreated unilateral congenital dislocation of t he hip (Crowe group IV) before total hip arthroplasty. During the dist raction period of 8 to 17 days, this technique had effectively reduced high dislocation of 4.5 cm (range, 3.5-5 cm). No pin-tract infection was encountered. Surgical difficulties in total hip arthroplasty for t hese patients were reduced. Potential problems, such as irreducibility , overshortening, nerve palsy, and displaced femoral fractures, were a voided. At an average follow-up period of 43 months (range, 25-63 mont hs), all patients have excellent or good results, with an average Harr is hip score of 94.3 (range, 84-100). Leg length was restored. The ili ofemoral distraction is valuable prior to difficult total hip arthropl asty for high dislocation.