Realizing the dream of healthy legs for a man with a limp for 30 years

The team of doctors from Vinh International Hospital performed surgery on patient N.D.T. Photo: Kim Chung

Congenital hip dislocation is a condition in which the acetabulum or femoral head does not develop normally, starting from the time the child is in the womb. However, children can also have hip dislocation due to polio, cerebral palsy leading to muscle spasms, etc. If not treated promptly, congenital hip dislocation will lead to scoliosis, pelvic misalignment, osteoarthritis, and lifelong limping.

For more than 30 years, Mr. N.D.T (Nam Dan, Nghe An) has been limping because his left leg is 5cm shorter than his right leg. Not only does he feel self-conscious when communicating and have inconveniences in daily activities, but recently he has also been tormented by recurring pain in his left hip joint.

Mr. T went to Vinh International Hospital for examination and was taken for X-ray and 3D CT scan; it showed degenerative image of left hip joint due to congenital hip dislocation grade 4 according to CROWE classification (femoral head atrophied and completely slipped out of the acetabulum, flat acetabulum, atrophied femur, loose marrow atrophy compared to the opposite side).

This is a difficult, complicated case that requires doctors to consult, measure, and discuss carefully with experts as well as with the family and patient before performing surgery.

Surgeons need to choose specific joints that are suitable for the small size of the femoral marrow cavity and may have to shorten the femur and graft the acetabulum. In addition, the doctor must shape the acetabulum in the patient's original anatomical position, place the femoral head in conjunction with the acetabulum, and restore the two legs to the same level to balance the soft tissue around the hip joint, especially the blood vessels and nerves that have become accustomed to shortening. Therefore, the risk of the patient having post-surgery sciatic nerve paralysis is very high.

X-ray images of patient T before and after surgery.

But thanks to the continuous consultation coordination with Trauma Surgery - Musculoskeletal experts at major hospitals in and outside the country, especially the active support from Professor Miguel Cabanela - President of the American Joint Replacement Surgery Association - Academician of the Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (master of hip and knee arthroplasties in Vietnam), the team of doctors at Vinh International Hospital, led by Dr. Tran Van Thuyen, directly performed acetabular reconstruction, hip repositioning, and soft tissue release for the patient.

After checking that the sciatic nerve was not tense, the doctor decided not to shorten the femur. After 90 minutes, the surgery was successful, both legs were equal, blood vessels and nerves were normal. After surgery, the patient was instructed to do rehabilitation exercises to get used to the new joint.

Image of Mr. T's legs before and after successful surgery. Photo: Kim Chung

After the successful surgery, Mr. T excitedly shared: "30 years of "living together" withlimping legs, I thoughtI had to accept my fate. But I was really lucky to have the dedicated help of the medical team at Vinh International Hospital, and the surgery was successful beyond my expectations. At first, I was a bit nervous, but thanks to the advanced techniques in medicine, the surgery was quite quick and not too painful, without having to inject antibiotics. I am really grateful to the doctors for giving me healthy, strong legs; to be confident and happy to live."

For the doctors and nurses at Vinh International Hospital, who always silently carry out the "mission" of taking care of people's health, there is no greater happiness than contributing to making that man's 30-year-old dream of a pair of healthy legs come true./.