Arthrodesis of the hip by central dislocation and ilio-femoral nailing. A preliminary report.

This paper describes a method of hip fusion that allows immediate ambulation without external support. It has been successful in twelve out of thirteen operations, the one failure being in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Hitherto, the drawback to hip fusion has been difficulty in securing it without prolonged fixation in a double hip spica. Plaster fixation also stiffens the knee, and if this is not overcome the patient’s disability is worsened.