Introduction: This article provides an overview of the management of a displaced hip in children with cerebral palsy and considers surveillance programmes, principles of surgical reconstruction and options for the salvage of an unreconstructable hip in these children.
Conclusion: Hip dislocation in CP is potentially preventable if children are included from an early age in a surveillance programme that includes repeat radiographic and clinical examinations, and preventive treatment for hips that are displacing. A surveillance programme should be based on the child's age, GMFCS level and migration percentage (MP), and surgical prevention may be considered in children with a MP exceeding 33 %.
Keywords: Cerebral palsy; Child; Hip displacement; Operative management; Surveillance programme.