Abstract
Aim: During periods of rapid growth hip diseases can deteriorate unexpectedly. This retrospective evaluation should determine standard values that might allow earlier determination of such growth disturbances and a better classification of almost normal findings.
Methods: 520 standardized made and normal pelvis x-rays of children aged 4–16 years were examined under respect to the development of the hip and pelvis itself (20 x-ray pictures per age-group and gender). Among others these parameters were assessed: acetabular index (AC) and ACM-angle, acetabular width, depth and length, width and altitude of the epiphysis, transverse pelvic diameter and pelvic altitude.
Results: At the age 6–14 years boys have a higher ace-tabular index and ACM-angle than girls. The acetabular index decreases up to the age of 15 to 10 in average, the ACM-angle up to the age of 9 years to 47 in boys and 45 in girls to be subsequently constant. The bony acetabulum grows concentrically and spherically in form and slower than the femoral head. The acetabulum of girls is deeper, smaller and stops growing at the age of 14. The pelvic growth proceeds with the exception of iliac width in girls up to the age of 16.
Conclusion: Due to an age depending mechanical load of the femoral head on the acetabulum a mild DDH can develop to severe pathology in times of rapid growth. With the found normal values and its variations it is easier to assess the development of hip joints especially in such cases.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
