THE GROWING HIP - SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The growing hip is characterized by the interaction of 11 growth plate s. It is a dynamic process involving the hierarchic action of several parameters: size, depth, orientation of the acetabulum, alignment and elongation of the femoral neck, coverage and configuration of the femo ral head, morphology of the pelvis, and consistency of the periarticul ar muscles and soft tissues. There are changing patterns of proximal f emoral vascularity, and nothing is achieved until the end of growth. T he most latent dysplasia can be seen at puberty. A long-term analysis is essential since morphological abnormalities decompensate only after several years. As time goes on, it is difficult to catch up with abno rmal growth. There is a mutual dependence between the femoral head and the acetabulum, but the growth of the acetabulum doesn't match that o f the femur and seems to move ahead of it.