Skip to main content

Congenital Hip Dislocation. Pathogenesis

 

An original view on the pathogenesis of congenital hip dysplasia, congenital dislocation and subluxation of the hip.

One example of the importance of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) and the influence of a mechanical factor on living systems is a group of diseases of the hip joint such as congenital hip dysplasia, congenital subluxation and congenital hip dislocation. The last of these pathological conditions is an extreme degree of severity of the previous two. Common to these pathological conditions is the presence of connective tissue dysplasia syndrome of varying severity. It is based on a decrease in the strength and elasticity of connective tissue structures. The consequence of this is that a standard load, for example, on ligaments causes their plastic deformation: thinning, elongation, and in some cases, rupture. This occurs due to both mechanical and biological processes (for more details, see the Law of Bioinduction).

If, in connective tissue dysplasia syndrome, the level of optimal average daily stresses does not correspond to the actual level of average daily stresses, children develop a pathology called congenital dysplasia of the hip. The bioeffective stresses that appears in the LCF induces pathological biological processes in it, leading to its lengthening. Elongation of the LCF entails an increase in the possible angle of adduction at the hip joint, as well as the cranial and lateral displacement of the femoral head. In the absence of static load, the stresses level in the hip joint elements is determined by muscle activity. Powerful muscles in the hip region tend to displace the femur in the cranial direction. This increases the load on the upper sectors of the femoral head and acetabulum, as well as on the joint capsule and acetabular labrum in the upper part of the joint. At the same time, the load on the lower sectors of the femoral head and acetabulum decreases.

In the prenatal period, as well as in newborns, the head of the femur and the acetabulum are formed from cartilaginous tissue. Under the influence of excess load, they gradually deform. The acetabulum takes the form of an ellipse, and the head of the femur loses its sphericity. The bioeffective stresses that arise in them induce a complex of adaptive processes that we regard as pathological. The joint capsule stretches, becomes thinner in some areas, and thickens in others (in the upper sector), and fibrosis develops. The acetabular labrum, proximal part of the femur, acetabulum, and pelvic bone undergo deformation. The rate of ossification of the cartilaginous models of bones forming the hip joint changes.

Elongation of the LCF, deformation of the acetabulum and femoral head, causes a pattern of subluxation in the hip joint. The persistence of average daily stresses gradients leads to the fact that subluxation turns into hip dislocation, and then neoarthrosis forms. Additional bone mass is synthesized in the form of osteophytes, and fibrosis of ligaments and muscles increases. The processes of deformation of the elements of the hip joint and lengthening of the LCF often occur in parallel. The more the cartilaginous bone models are deformed, the more the LCF lengthens and changes. The pathological process is accelerated if there is a break in the LCF, or initially develops if its break was primary, for example, during pathological childbirth or abnormal position of the fetus. From our point of view, walking with congenital hip dislocation, Duchenne and Trendelenburg symptoms are clear examples of LCF dysfunction.

Keywords: ligamentum capitis femoris, ligamentum teres, ligament of head of femur, hip joint, biomechanics, congenital hip dysplasia, congenital subluxation of the hip, congenital hip dislocation, pathogenesis

.                                                                     

In translating to English, the author is assisted by ChatGPT (version 3.5) and the Google Translate service.

If you notice an error, please let us know!

The first version of the text in:

Архипов-Балтийский СВ. Рассуждение о морфомеханике. Норма. В 2 т. Т. 2. Гл. 5-6. испр. и доп. изд. Калининград, 2004. (Archipov-Baltic SV. Reasoning about Morphomechanics. The norm – Kaliningrad, 2004. [Rus]) [aleph.rsl.ru]

BLOG CONTENT

ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

NEWS 2026

New publications of our resource   in 2026 The initial phase of collecting data on LCF, accumulated prior to the 20th century, is largely complete. Next, we plan to analyze and synthesize thematic information, adding data from the 20th and 21st centuries. The work will focus primarily on: prevention, diagnosis, arthroscopy, plastic surgery, and endoprosthetics.  January 05, 2026 2018YoussefAO The article describes a method for transposition of the proximal attachment of the LCF in congenital hip dislocation.   2007WengerD_OkaetR The authors demonstrated in the experiment that the strength of the LCF is sufficient to ensure early stability during hip joint reconstruction in children. January 04, 2026 2008 BacheCE _TorodeIP The article describes a method for transposition of the proximal attachment of the LCF in congenital hip dislocation .  2021PaezC_WengerDR The ar ticle analyzes the results of open reconstruction of LCF in dysplasia.   2008DoddsMK...

IMPROVING POSTOPERATIVE COMFORT...

  Improving Postoperative Comfort and Increasing the Reliability of Hip Prostheses by Supplementing with Artificial Ligaments: Proof of Concept and Prototype Demonstration S.V. Arkhipov, Independent Researcher, Joensuu, Finland       CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Materials and Methods [iv]   Results and Discussion [v]   Static Tests [vi]   Dynamic Tests [vii]   Prototype Fabrication and Testing [viii]   Conclusion [ix]   References [x]   Application [i]   Abstract The principle of operation of an experimental total hip endoprosthesis augmented with ligament analogs has been demonstrated in single-leg vertical stances and at the mid-stance phase of the single-support period of gait. The experiments were conducted on a specially designed mechatronic testing rig. The concept of the important role of the ligamentous apparatus is further illustrated by a set of demonstrative mechanical models. The...

1970MichaelsG_MatlesAL

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   References [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Abstract of the article: Michaels G, Matles AL. The role of the ligamentum teres in congenital dislocation of the hip (1970). The authors proposed an analogy for the role of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) as a “ball and chain control” and noted that it can spontaneously reduce congenital hip dislocation. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 1970MichaelsG_MatlesAL . [ii]   Original text Quote p. 199 Many papers in the literature have implicated the ligamentum teres as a hindrance to the late open reduction of a congenitally dislocated hip. Occasionally the ligamentum teres has been reported to be absent. However, in most cases it is hypertrophied and elongated. Our present knowledge confirms the fact that congenital dislocation of t...

2008DoddsMK_McCormackD

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   References [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Abstract of the article: Dodds MK et al . Transarticular stabilization of the immature femoral head: assessment of a novel surgical approach to the dislocating pediatric hip in a porcine model (2008). The article describes an experiment of reconstruction of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in pigs with the formation of a femoral tunnel. The text in Russian is available at the following link:  2008DoddsMK_McCormackD . [ii]   Original text Abstract Background: Acetabular dysplasia and hip instability are common in neuromuscular diseases such as spina bifida and cerebral palsy due to deranged muscle function around the hip. Occasionally in developmental dysplasia of the hip, persistent instability may be difficult to manage by standard treatments. It i...

LCF in 2025 (December)

  LCF in 2025 ( December)   (Quotes from articles and books published in  December  2025 mentioning the ligamentum capitis femoris)   Sarassa, C., Aristizabal, S., Mejía, R., García, J. J., Quintero, D., & Herrera, A. M. (2025). Intraosseous Tunneling and Ligamentum Teres Ligamentodesis “Teretization” to Enhance Stability in Congenital Hip Dislocation Surgery: Surgical Technique and Mid-Term Outcomes. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics , 10-1097.   [i]      journals.lww.com   Kampouridis, P., Svorligkou, G., Spassov, N., & Böhme, M. (2025). Postcranial anatomy of the Late Miocene Eurasian hornless rhinocerotid Chilotherium. PLoS One , 20 (12), e0336590.     [ii]      journals.plos.org   Burdette, T. N., Hsiou, C. L., McDonough, S. P., Pell, S., Ayers, J., Divers, T. J., & Delvescovo, B. Sidewinder syndrome associated with complete rupture of the ligamentum capitis ossis femoris in a horse. Eq...

2008WengerDR_MiyanjiF

  Article: Wenger DR et al. Ligamentum teres maintenance and transfer as a stabilizer in open reduction for pediatric hip dislocation: surgical technique and early clinical results (2008). The article describes a method of open reconstruction of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) for hip dysplasia. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2008WengerDR_MiyanjiF . Ligamentum teres maintenance and transfer as a stabilizer in open reduction for pediatric hip dislocation: surgical technique and early clinical results   Wenger DR, Mubarak SJ, Henderson PC, Miyanji F   CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Materials and Methods [iv]   Surgical technique & Results [v]   Discussion & Conclusion [vi]   References [vii]   Application [i]   Abstract Purpose The ligamentum teres has primarily been considered as an obstruction to reduction in children with developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH). In the ea...

1724FabriciusJA

Fragments from the book Fabricius JA. Bibliothecae Graecae volume duodecimum (1724). The author quotes the Byzantine physician Theophilus Protospatharius, who supposedly lived between the 7th and 10th centuries. Selected passages provide views on the normal anatomy of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) and its inherent connective function.   [Grc] θεοφιλος ο Πρωτοσπαθάριος . Περὶ τῆς τοῦ ανθρώπου κατασκευῆς . Βιβλιον Ε . XIII, [p. 892] (see fig.) [Lat] Theophilus Protospatharius. De corporis humani fabrica, Liber quintus, Cap. XIII [p. 892] 1) Dei erga homines amor ex heminae fundo teretem nervum promisit, cartilaginosum vinculum femoris capiti insertum adstringensque, ne facile elabatur:» 2) inde ex heminae oris aliae copulae oriuntur, totum femoris caput in orbem constringentes, non teretes & solae, qualis quae ex fundo porrigitur, sed latae, valenter que heminae oras ad commissurae praesidium ambientes.   Translation [Eng] 1) For the sake ...

2011HosalkarHS_WengerDR

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   References [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Abstract of the article: Hosalkar HS et al . Isocentric reattachment of ligamentum teres: a porcine study (2011). The article describes a method of isocentric fixation of the proximal end of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) during plastic surgery in an experiment on pigs. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2011HosalkarHS_WengerDR . [ii]   Original text Abstract Background: Recent reports reveal interest in the mechanical importance of ligamentum teres (LT) in hip dislocation. In the previously established procedure of anteroinferior acetabular LT reattachment in developmental dysplasia of the hip, the LT functions as a check-rein, showing promising results. However, this position of reattachment could potentially limit motion. Th...

2023AbibeRB_SaundersWB

  Article: Abibe RB et al. Ligamentum teres reconstruction using autogenous semitendinosus tendon with toggle technique in rabbits (2023). The article describes experimental reconstruction of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in rabbits. The text in Russian is available at the following link:  2023AbibeRB_SaundersWB . Ligamentum teres reconstruction using autogenous semitendinosus tendon with toggle technique in rabbits Abibe RB, Rahal SC, Reis Mesquita LD, Doiche D, da Silva JP, Mamprim MJ, Pinho RH, Battazza A, Alves CEF, Saunders WB   CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Materials and Methods [iv]   Results [v]   Discussion & Conclusion [vi]   References [vii]   Application [i]   Abstract Background Ligamentum teres (LT) has traditionally been considered a vestigial or redundant structure in humans; however, based on new studies and the evolution of hip arthroscopy, the LT injury has been viewed as a source of hi...

2007WengerD_OkaetR

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   References [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Abstract of the article: Wenger D et al . The mechanical properties of the ligamentum teres: a pilot study to assess its potential for improving stability in children’s hip surgery (2007). The authors demonstrated in the experiment that the strength of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) is sufficient to ensure early stability during hip joint reconstruction in children. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2007WengerD_OkaetR . [ii]   Original text Abstract The anatomic and histological characteristics of the ligamentum teres and its vascular contributions to the femoral head have been well described. The function of the ligamentum teres remains poorly understood. Although excision is the current standard in treating complete developme...