Hip subluxation and dislocation in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Although hip subluxation and dislocation occur commonly in neuromuscular di seases such as cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy and myelomeningocele , they are not known to commonly affect patients with Duchenne Muscular Dys trophy. In this study, 15 out of 54 patients whose hip radiographs were rev iewed showed unilateral subluxation, one had bilateral subluxation and thre e had unilateral dislocation. Having established that hip subluxation and d islocation develop frequently in patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, serial hip radiographs should be taken as has been advocated for cerebral palsy. The possible relationship between subluxation and pelvic tilt also c alls for better control of sitting posture to prevent pelvic tilt. Spinal s tabilization should be carried out at an early age when any scoliosis and p elvic tilt are still mild, so that progressive subluxation of the hip may b e delayed or prevented, in addition to maintaining sitting balance and comf ort.