Physiotherapy for a child’s hip dislocation is particularly important for a child-oriented development and to support the healing process. As a conservative therapy method, physiotherapy can help to mobilize the hip joint as much as possible from the beginning and to prevent shortening of the muscles and other tissues. Special therapy methods such as physiotherapy according to Vojta, for example, can activate automated reflexes and positively support the healing process. Depending on the age of the child and the severity of the disease, the physiotherapy is always individually adapted. In the following articles you will learn more about this topic:
- Physiotherapy gait training
- Exercises for gait disorders
Treatment/Therapy
If a hip dislocation is diagnosed, it is important to start treatment quickly, as this can lead to problems in development and later consequential damage, such as Perthes disease, especially in children. In the case of a hip luxation in children, conservative treatment is usually attempted at first. Depending on the severity of the dislocation, this means that in mild cases certain aids are used to fix the femoral head deep in the acetabulum.
This is done, for example, by using spreader pants and bandages. If the hip luxation is more pronounced, the hip joint must be repositioned. The children are usually briefly anesthetized for this and the doctor then tries to manually reposition the hip.
If this is not possible, for example, if tendons or ligaments prevent the hip from repositioning, surgery may be necessary. After repositioning, it is important to fix the hip joint. This is done either with a plaster cast or a splint, which must be worn for at least 6 weeks.
Even with older children, good therapy is essential for the success of treatment. Close cooperation between physiotherapists and doctors must be ensured. Through specific exercises and measures within the scope of the physiotherapeutic treatment, the muscles and tissue of the children are trained so that the healing process is optimally supported and the joint is not restricted in its mobility later on.
The therapy varies greatly depending on the age of the child, so that older children can often perform the exercises independently, while babies in particular depend on their parents and the therapists. In general, a lot of help and responsibility is needed from the parents so that the child has the best possible chances of complete recovery. In general, a hip dislocation in children requires a high degree of flexibility, creativity and empathy on the part of the treating physicians and physiotherapists. The following articles may also be of interest to you in this regard:
- Exercises for Perthes disease
- Physiotherapy for childhood hip dysplasia
- Childhood hip dysplasia
