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Surgery a Success for Ischemia After Hip Dysplasia

In the mid-1980s a new method was developed for treating ischemia after hip dysplasia. A special 120-degree angled blade plate was used to restore a normal hip joint position. The operation is called a femoral or valgus osteotomy.

This is a report of the long-term results of this technique used in 94 joints in children ages three to 15. Pain, motion, and function were measured before and after the operation. X-rays taken before and after were also compared. Signs of osteoarthritis were monitored.

The authors report the best results were seen in children ages seven to 12. They had the least loss of motion. They also had the best correction of leg length difference. As adults they had milder arthritic changes. They found that surgery done too early could disrupt the repair due to further bone growth. This could require additional surgery.

Very good long-term results were reported with the use of the 120-degree angled blade plate to perform a rotational osteotomy. This method was not compared with other methods. Since the results were so good the surgeons say they had no reason to try another method.

References: Oldrich Cech, MD, DSc, et al. Management of Ischemic Deformity After the Treatment of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip. In Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. Vol. 25. No. 5. Pp. 687-694.

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