History and Evaluation: A twenty year old female presented with a severe waddling gait and severe pain in both hips. She was diagnosed with bilateral high hip dislocations. This means that the ball of femoral head was out of position high above the true hip joint. Activities of daily living were limited due to her hips.
X rays showed femoral heads dislocated out of position from the true hip socket.
Treatment: Surgical treatment consisted of complex bilateral hip replacements. Both hip joints were lowered to the true hip socket. Both femurs (thigh bones) were lowered (by shortening) to articulate with the prosthetic hip sockets. Leg lengths were equal after surgery.
Outcomes: Two years after surgery the patient is very happy with her result. Pain is minimal and she is able to walk with only a slight, occasional limp. Activities of daily living have returned to normal.