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

LCF in 2026 (March)

  LCF in 2026 (March)  (Quotes from articles and books published in March 2026 mentioning the ligamentum capitis   femoris)       Kelly, J. J., Krych, A. J., & Hevesi, M. (2026). Arthroscopic Hip Capsular Reconstruction. Clinics in Sports Medicine . March 2, 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.csm.2026.01.003   [i]   sportsmed.theclinics.com   Puga, T. B., Box, M. W., Perleberg, T., Paulter, B., O’Connor, K. P., & Riehl, J. T. (2026). Comparison of Intra‐Articular Hip Injections Using Ultrasound or Anatomic Landmarks: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis. Advances in Orthopedics , 2026 (1), 5518632.   [ii]   onlinelibrary.wiley.com   Arkhipov, S. V. (2026). The Book of Bereshit as a Great Compilation of Texts and Meanings from the Second Intermediate Period of Egypt: A Pilot Culturological, Medical, Archaeological, and Textological Examination of the Legends versus Traditional Attribution . About round ligament of f...

Great Compilation. Chapter 25

      English version of the article:  Архипов СВ. Книга Берешит как великая компиляция текстов и смыслов Второго переходного периода Египта: пилотная культурологическая, медицинская, археологическая и текстологическая экспертиза преданий против традиционной атрибуции. Введение.  О круглой связке бедра . 14.02.2026 .  The text in Russian is available at the following link:  2026АрхиповСВ .    The Book of Genesis as a Great Compilation of Texts and Meanings from the Second Intermediate Period of Egypt: A Pilot Culturological, Medical, Archaeological, and Textological Examination of the Legends versus Traditional Attribution.  Chapter 25   By Sergey V. Arkhipov, MD, PhD   CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Book of Genesis. Chapter 25 Analysis [iii]   Notes to Chapter 25 [iv]   AI Agent's Conclusion [v]   Content [vi]   External links [vii]   Application [i]   Abstract The Book of Genesis (Beresh...

Online Journal «ABOUT ROUND LIGAMENT OF FEMUR», March 2025

  The publication is dedicated to the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) and related topics.   About the Journal »»»                                                                                . The online journal  « About Round Ligament of  Femur »   was created based on the scientific blog of the same name. The resource is the English-language part of the project:  ONLINE JOURNAL:  Ligamentum capitis femoris . Updates:  As new materials are prepared. Mission :   Popularization and preservation of knowledge about LCF, as well as promoting its practical application. Main goal:  Improvement of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of injuries and diseases of the hip joint. Publisher: Arkhipov S.V., independent researcher, PhD, ort...

2021MeesonRL_StricklandR

The authors describe surgical stabilization of the femoral head in cases reluxation of traumatic hip dislocation in cats using the "Modified Knowles toggle" method, in which the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) is reconstructed from nylon or polydioxanone threads. Keywords ligamentum capitis femoris, ligamentum teres, ligament of head of femur, luxation, relaxation, hip, stabilization, reconstruction Original Article Meeson, R. L., & Strickland, R. (2021). Traumatic joint luxations in cats: Reduce, repair, replace, remove. Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 23(1), 17-32. doi.org/10.1177/1098612X20979508  [ scholar.google ] Authors & Affiliations Richard L Meeson MA, VetMB, PhD, MVetMed, DipECVS, FHEA, FRCVS, RCVS & ECVS Specialist Small Animal Surgery Rhiannon Strickland Department of Clinical Science and Services, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, UK .               ...

TeresI — a small ligament of the hip joint

  Motivator for installation on the phone: «TeresI: Ignite Intelligence & Kind!» ☺ Hi! I am Teresi — a small ligament. I support the body and help you walk and run. Without me, joints get damaged and the way you walk changes. See you at https://roundligament.blogspot.com & https://kruglayasvyazka.blogspot.com   Youtube:  https://youtube.com/shorts/DyqiMCc6UYE ©ArkhipovSV Music: Coping Season   / The Soundlings Help in creating a video: Clipchamp, Microsoft & Google AI Studio,  aistudio.google.com Publication on the YouTube channel & in the facebook group 08/29/2025.     BLOG CONTENT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS YOUTUBE                                                                                             ...

1882ReevesHA

  Fragments from the book Reeves HA. Human Morphology: A Treatise on Practical and Applied Anatomy. Vol. 1. (1882). The author describes the anatomy of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) and its role.   Quote pp. 451 - 452 By arrangement with the dissector of the abdomen, who will be interested in the observation, the student should carefully trephine or chisel out a small piece from the roof of the acetabulum in order to observe what has already been stated with regard to the capsule, and also to note how the ligamentum teres is affected with regard to its tension or laxity in the various movements of the joint. He may also try to inject into the joint some warm tallow so as to note if there be any hernial protrusions or projections of the synovial membrane between the layers of the capsule, or whether the synovial membrane of the joint communicates with any of the neighbouring bursæ, more especially with the psoas bursa. FIG 336. RIGHT HIP JOINT OPENED. The femur is pu...

LCF in 2024 (August)

    Publications about the LCF in August 2024     Caliesch, R., Beckwée, D., Taeymans, J., Schwab, J. M., Renaud, T., Brossard, Q., & Hilfiker, R. (2024). Hip microinstability and its association with femoroacetabular impingement: A scoping review.  Archives of Physiotherapy , 14 , 29-46.   [i]   journals.aboutscience.eu   Delbrück, H., Gehlen, Y., Hildebrand, F., & Brunner, R. (2024). Redisplacement rate after bony hip reconstructive surgery in nonambulatory patients with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.  EFORT Open Reviews ,  9 (8), 773-784.    [ii]   eor.bioscientifica.com   Patwa, R., Bishnoi, P., Palecha, S., Bishnoi, A. K., Diwedi, S., Singh, N., ... & Bishnoi, S. INCIDENCE OF PELVIS AND HIP JOINT DISORDERS IN DOGS-A CLINICAL STUDY IN 74 DOGS.  Veterinary Practitioner,  25 ; 1 :61-65     [iii]    www.vetpract.in   Vidal Leão, R., Fernandes...

1847DupuytrenG

  Fragments of the book Dupuytren G. On the injuries and diseases of bones (1847) dedicated to ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF). The author briefly discusses changes in the LCF in hip dysplasia and its role in supplying blood to the femoral head.   Quote p. 173 CHAPTER X. ORIGINAL OR CONGENITAL DISPLACEMENT OF THE HEADS OF THIGH-BONES. … The upper part of the thigh preserves, in these cases, its natural form and dimensions, with the single exception of the upper and inner part of the head of this bone, which I have remarked has sometimes lost a little of its roundness, a circumstance which appears due to the friction it has been subjected to, by contact with a surface unsuited for articulation. The cotyloid cavity is either altogether absent, or presents only a small osseous, irregular prominence, where neither trace of diarthrodial cartilage nor vestige of synovial or other capsule, nor fibrous margin is to be found; but which is surrounded by some tough cellular tis...

17c.Neapolitan_School

Unknown Master of the Neapolitan school, painting –   Jacob wrestling with the angel; Jacob's Dream (17th century).   Depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) injury based on the description in the Book of Genesis: 25 And Ja cob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 26 And when he saw that he could not pre vail against him, he struck against the hollow of his thigh ; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was put out of joint, as he was wrestling with him. … 33 Therefore do the children of Israel not eat the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day; because he struck against the hollow of Jacob's thigh on the sinew that shrank.  ( 1922LeeserI , Genesis (Bereshit) 32:25-26,33) More about the plot in our work:  Ninth month, eleventh day   ( 2024 АрхиповСВ. Девятый месяц, одиннадцатый день ).     Unknown Master –  Jacob wrestling with the ang...

1626BartholinC

  Fragment from the book Bartholin C. Anatomicae Institutiones Corporis Humani (1626). The author describes the anatomy, topography, geometric and mechanical properties of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF). The term «terete» (rounded) is used to indicate its geometry. The term «cartilagine» (cartilaginous) is used to describe the hardness of the LCF, and the analogy of «nervus esset cartilaginosus» (like a cartilaginous sinew) is given. Similar terminological elements are present in the works of Galen of Pergamon and Theophilus Protospatharius ( 2020ArkhipovSV_ProlyginaIV ). See the previous edition at the link:  1611BartholinC   Quote p. 409 [Lat] Cap. XXI. DE OSSIBUS TOTIUS PEDIS. … I. Est caput maximum & rotundum, ex appendice factum, quod in coxendicis acetabulum inseritur, & duplici ligamento cum coxendice nectitur: uno communi, lato, membraneo, sed satis crasso, orbiculatum articulum ambiente; altero terete, quasi cartilagine (ac si nervus esset cart...