Purpose Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an effective procedure for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH); however, it is sometimes difficult to complete for severe cases because of femoral head dislocation, dysplasia of the acetabulum and the femur, disparity in limb length, soft tissue contraction, and muscular atrophy. We aimed at exploring the efficiency of the techniques of release and balance of soft tissues and reconstruction of true socket THA for patients with severe DDH.