PERSISTENT JOINT LAXITY AND CONGENITAL DISLOCATION OF THE HIP.

1. General joint laxity affecting more than three joints was found in 7 per cent of normal schoolchildren. Similar laxity was found in fourteen of a random series of forty-eight girls, and in nineteen of twenty-six boys, with non-familial congenital dislocation of the hip. Such laxity was also found in four of seven girls and five of seven boys with familial (first degree relative affected) congenital dislocation of the hip. 2. It is concluded that persistent generalised joint laxity, which is often familial, is an important predisposing factor to congenital dislocation of the hip in boys. It is less important in girls, except perhaps in familial cases, as in girls there is an alternative temporary hormonal cause of joint laxity.

[1]  M. Howorth,et al.  CONGENITAL DISLOCATION OF THE HIP: Part III. Pathogenesis , 1951 .

[2]  R. Sweetnam,et al.  Familial joint laxity and recurrent dislocation of the patella. , 1958, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume.

[3]  F. Hisaw.  Experimental relaxation of the pubic ligament of the guinea pig. , 1926 .

[4]  L. Andrén,et al.  Disturbed urinary excretion pattern of oestrogens in newborns with congenital dislocation of the hip. I. The excretion of oestrogen during the first few days of life. , 1961, Acta endocrinologica.

[5]  L. Andrén,et al.  Disturbed urinary excretion pattern of oestrogens in newborns with congenital dislocation of the hip. II. The excretion of exogenous oestradiol-17 beta. , 1961, Acta endocrinologica.

[6]  J. Key.  HYPERMOBILITY OF JOINTS AS A SEX LINKED HEREDITARY CHARACTERISTIC , 1927 .

[7]  J. Wilkinson.  PRIME FACTORS IN THE ETIOLOGY OF CONGENITAL DISLOCATION OF THE HIP , 1963 .

[8]  L. Andrén.  Pelvic instability in newborns with special reference to congenital dislocation of the hip and hormonal factors. A roentgenologic study. , 1962, Acta radiologica. Supplementum.

[9]  C. Chapple,et al.  A study of the relationship between fetal position and certain congenital deformities , 1941 .

[10]  R. Sweetnam,et al.  Recurrent dislocation of the patella and of the shoulder. Their association with familial joint laxity. , 1960, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume.

[11]  G. Ehrlich.  Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue (ed 3). , 1966 .

[12]  C. Carter.  Congenital dislocation of the hip , 1960 .

[13]  A. Lorenz.  Die sogenannte angeborene Hüftverrenkung : ihre Pathologie und Therapie , 1920 .