ARTHRODIASTASIS FOR STIFF HIPS IN YOUNG-PATIENTS

Joint distraction (arthrodiastasis) with a unilateral fixator was used to treat 9 patients with stiffness of the hip which had followed Pert hes' disease (3), epiphysiolysis (2), congenital dysplasia (2), tuberc ulosis (1) and idiopathic chondrolysis (1). Their average age was 14 y ears, and they all had pain, limp and shortening of the leg. Distracti on of 0.5 to 1 cm was maintained for an average of 94 days. The averag e range of movement subsequently was 65-degrees compared with 20-degre es before. The articular space was widened by an average of 2.8 mm, an d only 3 patients had pain on follow up.