Acetabular Dysplasia Presenting as Developmental Dislocation of the Hip

Eleven hips in nine children were identified with acetabular dysplasia, which presented as developmental dislocation of the hip. The clinical signs of dislocation--tight abductors and a limp, associated with a plain radiograph showing the femoral head protruding from the pelvis--were not evident among this group. Arthrography showed acetabular dysplasia but no dislocation. Accurate grading of hip dysplasia can help to avoid such misdiagnoses, which have presented a recurring problem in the management tof this condition.