M. Smith and Guerin discussed
the lesion in their works.
Among congenital dislocations, those of the hips are most
common--in fact, 90 per cent of all. They are sometimes not
recognizable until after the lapse of months and sometimes for
years, but their causes--faulty developments of the joint,
paralysis, etc.--are supposed to have existed at birth. One or
both joints may be involved, and according to the amount of
involvement the gait is peculiar. As to the reduction of such a
dislocation, the most that can be done is to diminish the
deformity and functional disability by traction and palliative
measures with apparatus. The normal structure of the joint does
not exist, and therefore the dislocation admits of no reduction.
Congenital dislocations of the shoulder are also seen, owing to
faulty development of the glenoid fossa; and at the knee, the leg
generally being in extreme hyperextension, the foot sometimes
resting on the abdomen. Congenital luxation of the femora, when
it appears in adult women is a prominent factor in dystocia.
There is a dislocation found at birth, or occurring shortly
after, due to dropsy of the joint in utero; and another form due
to succeeding paralysis of groups of muscles about the joint.
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