Introduction. Bulk bone grafting is commonly used in total hip arthroplasty (THA) for developmental dysplasia. However, it is a technically demanding surgery with several critical issues, including graft resorption, graft collapse, and cup loosening. The purpose of this study is to describe our new bone grafting technique and review the radiographic and clinical results. Patients and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 105 hips in 89 patients who had undergone covered bone grafting (CBG) in total hip arthroplasty for developmental dysplasia. We excluded patients who had any previous surgeries or underwent THA with a femoral shortening osteotomy. According to the Crowe classification, 6 hips were classified as group I, 39 as group II, 40 as group III, and 20 as group IV. Follow-up was at a mean of 4.1 (1 ∼ 6.9) years. The surgery was performed using the direct anterior approach. The acetabulum was reamed as close to the original acetabulum as possible. The pressfit cementless cup was impacted into the original acetabulum. After pressfit fixation of the cup was achieved, several screws were used to reinforce the fixation. Indicating factor for using CBG was a large defect where the acetabular roof angle was more than 45 degrees and the uncovered cup was more than 2 cm (Fig.1). The superior defect of the acetabulum was packed with a sufficient amount of morselized bone using bone dust from the acetabular reamers. Then, the grafted morselized bone was covered with a bone plate from the femoral head. The bone plate was fixed with one screw to compact the morselized bone graft. The patient was allowed to walk bearing full weight immediately after surgery. We measured the height of the hip center from the teardrop line and the pelvic height on anteroposterior roentgenograms of the pelvis and calculated the ratio of the hip center to the pelvic height. We defined the anatomical hip center as the height of the center less than 15 % of the pelvic height, which was nearly equal to 30 mm, because the mean pelvic height was 210 mm. Results. The mean height of the hip center was 9.8 (4.1∼18.0) % of the pelvic height and the 101 (96.2%) cups were placed within the anatomical hip center. Radiographically, in all patients, the host-graft interface became distinct and the new cortical bone in the lateral part of the plate bone appeared within 1 year after surgery (Fig.2, 3). We observed no absorption of the plate bone graft and no migration of the cup at the last follow-up. Conclusion. CBG technique is simple, because the bone graft is always performed after the pressfit of the cup is achieved. Moreover, patients require no partial weight bearing postoperatively, because the cup is supported by the host bone with the pressfit and additional screws. The CBG technique would be an excellent option for the reconstruction of the acetabulum in patients with severe dysplasia to avoid a high hip center and bulky bone grafting

Introduction. Bulk bone grafting of the cup is commonly used in total hip arthroplasty (THA) for developmental dysplasia. However, it carries a risk of the graft collapse in the mid-term or long-term results. The purpose of this study is to describe our new bulk bone grafting technique and review the radiographic and clinical results. Patients and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 85 hips in 74 patients who had undergone bulk bone grafting in total hip arthroplasty for developmental dysplasia between 2008 and 2013. We excluded patients who had any previous surgeries or performed THA with the femoral shortening osteotomy. According to the Crowe classification, 4 hips were classified as Type 1, 28 as Type 2, 35 as Type 3, and 18 as Type 4. Follow-up was at a mean of 4.0 years (1 to 6.1). The surgery was performed using the direct anterior approach on a standard surgical table. The acetabulum was reamed for as close to the original acetabulum as possible. The pressfit cementless cup was impacted into the original acetabulum. After the pressfit fixation of the cup was achieved, two or three screws were used to reinforce the fixation. The superior defect of the acetabulum was packed with sufficient amount of morselized bone graft. Then, the bulk bone was placed on the morselized bone graft and fixed with one screw. Post-operatively, there were no restrictions to movement or position. On the first day after surgery, the patient was allowed to walk with full weight-bearing. We measured the height of the hip center from the interteardrop line and the pelvic height on anteroposterior roentgenograms of the pelvis and calculated the ratio of the hip center to the pelvic height. We defined the anatomical hip center as the height of the center less than 15% of the pelvic height. Results. The mean height of the hip center was 10.2 (4.1∼18.0)% of the pelvic height and the 81 (95.2%) cups were placed within the anatomical hip center. We observed no collapsed grafts, no severe absorption of the grafts, and no migration of the cup at the last follow-up. Conclusion. In our technique, there is no concern of the bulk bone graft collapse even in the long-term results, because the cup is not supported by the bulk bone graft but by the host bone with the pressfit and additional screws. Moreover, 95.2% of all cups were placed within the anatomical hip center. In conclusion, our new bulk bone graft technique would be simple to perform and an excellent option for the reconstruction of the acetabulum in patients with severe dysplasia

In late presenting developmental Dysplasia of hip there is controversy as to the most appropriate method of treatment. The purpose of study was to determine the outcome following the non-operative and operative treatment for late presenting developmental dysplasia of hip. Retrospective study. Inclusion criteria – (1) Unilateral DH (2) Diagnosed 6 months or more after birth (3) Minimum follow up of 2 years after treatment. 41 patients matched the inclusion criteria. 32 patients attended the follow-up clinic. Patients were divided into non-operative and operative group. Outcome instruments used include activities scale for kids (ASK), physical component of SF36 v2, centre edge angle and severin classification system, all validated scoring systems. 32 patients with mean follow-up of 7 (2–12_ years. Mean age at the time of follow-up was 9 (range 2.7 – 15) years. In our series, 15 patients received non-operative and 17 patients received operative treatment. On ASK, conservatively treated hips scored 72% and surgically treated hips scored 69%. (P-Value = > 0.05). On SF36 v2, mean value of physical function score (PFS) for both non-operative and operative group were 57.58 respectively (P Value > 0.05). Centre edge angle (CEA) of non-operative and operative group were compared with their contra-lateral normal sides (P Value > 0.05). According to Severin classification system, 7 hips were grade I, 8 were grade II in the non operative group and in operative group, 10 were grade II, 5 were grade III and 2 were grade IV. There were no major complications and only one (3%) hip developed avascular necrosis of hip. On a medium term follow-up, despite some radiological abnormalities, most of the patients achieved good functional results following both non-operative treatments for late presenting DDH. There was no statistically significant difference in the development of hips either treated conservatively or surgically. Long term follow up studies are required in order to establish the true outcome of late presenting DDH treated either conservatively or surgically

This study shows the efficacy of The Pavlik harness for the treatment of Development Dysplasia of Hip using ultrasonographic monitoring. Between March 1995 and February 2000 we treated 149 dysplastic hips in 117 babies. According to the Graf’s classification 90 were dysplastic type IIB, IIC,IID hips; 59 were dislocated Type IIIA, IIIB and IV hips. Babies were regularly monitored using ultrasound until the age of 26 weeks and radiographs there after for bony roof angle. The Pavlik harness was abandoned if there was persistent dislocation of hip at the end of 3 weeks of treatment. The average full time harness treatment was 12.2 ( range 6–20 ) weeks. The average follow up was 55 ( range 30–90 ) months. The harness failed to reduce 14 hips ( 9.5 % of total hips). These required arthrogram and closed or open reductions. Late presentation beyond 12 weeks and a higher grade on the Graf’s classification reduces the success rate of the pavlik harness treatment. Two cases continue to show a small femoral ossific nuclei at 30 months follow up. The hips treated successfully showed no significant difference in acetabular index from the normal values at follow up radiographs. We conclude that using our protocol, successful initial treatment of Developmental Dysplasia of Hip with the Pavlik harness appears to restore normal development of the hip. We continue to monitor patients by regular radiological surveillance up to 3 years in dysplastic hips and 5 years in unstable and dislocated hips

To determine whether reducing the splintage rate in DDH patients had any effect on the rate of surgical procedures for the treatment of DDH. . Since 1991, in the Blackburn region, there has been a limited target ultrasound screening programme for developmental dysplasia of the hip. The detailed records of the demographics, clinical and ultrasound findings, treatment and outcomes of all children screened by the senior author were reviewed. In 1996 and 1997 only those with persistent major dysplasia at 8 weeks and those with dislocatable hips were placed into Pavlik harnesses. In 1998 only those babies with persistent major dysplasia at 8 weeks of age, or persistent hip instability at 1–2 weeks were placed into Pavlik harnesses. The splintage rates, late dislocation rates (diagnosed after 6 mnths of age) and surgery rates were determined. During the study period 11164 babies were born in the region. 797 (7.1%) babies were seen by the senior author. Surgery in early irreducible hips is unavoidable. Surgery in late dislocators is only avoidable by changing from a selective ultrasound screening policy to performing ultrasound screening on every baby born. With a limited hip screening programme and clinical and ultrasound monitoring of patients, splintage rates can be minimised without increasing the rate of surgery for developmental dysplasia. No child who would have been splinted by the criteria used by other centres, and who wasn’t splinted in this series, required surgery

Objective: Considering the high incidence and misdiag-nostic rate of developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH) in China, some patients suffer from severe pain in the hip at early age, and a total hip arthroplasty would be necessary. To our knowledge, the intermediate-term(equal to or more than five years) results of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with osteoarthritis secondary to developmental dysplasia of the hip has not been studied in China previously. This study evaluated more than five-year clinical and radiographic outcomes associated with total hip arthroplasty (THA) in a consecutive series of patients with osteoarthritis secondary to developmental dysplasia of the hip. Methods: From February 2000 to July 2002, 55 patients (69 hips) underwent THA in our hospital were involved in this study. Clinical outcomes were evaluated according to Harris evaluate score. Components migration, periprosthetic bone changes, the polyethylene wear rate were measured radiologically. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to evaluate the survival of the acetabular and femoral component. End point was obvious radiological loosening or revision either or both of the acetabular and femoral component for any reason. Results: Forty-five patients (57 hips) were followed up at least 5 years. The average preoperative Harris hip score was (46.19±18.01) points, which improved to (91.78±3.52) points at final follow-up. There were 48 excellent hips (84.21%), 7 good hips (12.28%), 2 fair hips (3.51%) and no poor hip. There is no significant difference of Harris score between the dysplasia group, the low dislocation group and the high dislocation group (P> 0.05, ANOVA). The mean polyethylene liner wear rate was (0.27±0.14)mm/year. According to the statistical relevant analysis, the wear rate of the polyethylene liner had relationship with the age(r=−0.288, P=0.040), the abnormal abduction angle of the acetabular cup (r=0.317, P=0.023)and the osteolysis rate (r=0.573, P=0.026), while had no significant relationship with the thickness of the polyethylene liner (P=0.326), gender(P=0.097), DDH classification(P=0.958) and the Harris score(P=0.598). There are 5 pelvic osteolysis and 8 proximal femoral osteolysis. Using loosening or revision as the end point for failure, the survival rate of both components was 1.0 (95% confidence interval, 0.98–1.00). Conclusions: In conclusion, improved surgical technique and design in the components provided favorable mid-term results in Chinese patients with osteoarthritis secondary to developmental dysplasia of the hip. Bulk autogenous or allografting is not needed if more than 70% of the acetabular component is covered by host bone. Although the Asia life style includes more squatting and cross-legged, the results of this series in Chinese population are comparable to the satisfactory results of other reported DDH series whose patients are mainly western people. The mid-term results of THA are equivalent in the group of patients with dysplasia, low dislocation, and high dislocation types both in ace-tabular and femoral components. However, the authors continue to be anxious about the high rate of liner wear and osteolysis, which deserve the necessary long-term follow-up

Treating Crowe type 3 or 4 of hips tends to be technically difficult when performing total hip arthroplasty (THA) due to the severely dysplastic acetabulum and proximal femur in addition to a high dislocation of the hip. Since the socket is limited to being placed at the original hip center, a femoral shortening osteotomy is often required in order to prevent neurovascular problems. This osteotomy will need the stability of the femoral stem with both the proximal and the distal femoral bones. We used the modular S-ROM stem, which has a valuable proximal structure and a distal flute structure to stabilize the stem with the proximal and distal femoral fragments. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical and radiographic results of the primary THA with a shortening osteotomy while also using the S-ROM prosthesis. Between 1994 and 2004, primary THA using the S-ROM prosthesis was performed on 7 hips in 6 cases (1 male, 5 females). Crowe type 3 or 4 was observed in one and 6 hips, respectively. The mean age at operation was 56 years old (range 51~60). The mean follow-up period was 41 months (range 24~56 months). Four hips had previously undergone a subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy. All hips underwent a step-cut femoral osteotomy at the proximal metaphysis for the shortening and/or correction of angulations with on-lay chip bone grafts. All of the used stems were straight type. The clinical outcome was evaluated using the clinical scoring system of hip joints established by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA). According to a 100 point scale, pain was determined to be 40, ROM was 20, gait was 20 and ADL was 20. No hips had undergone any revision surgery as of the most recent follow-up. Union was achieved at the osteotomy site in all hips. Neither osteolysis nor a loosening of the implant was radiographically observed. The mean JOA score before THA and at the last follow-up was 41 (31–48) and 81 (62–91) points, respectively. The mean postoperative days to start full weight bearing was 53 days (range 49~70). In two cases (28%), a procedure using circular wiring was performed to treat a crack in the proximal femur. The S-ROM prosthesis was thus found to be useful for primary THA with a shortening metaphyseal femoral osteotomy for hips in patients with Crowe type 3 or 4 developmental dysplasia

Anterolateral acetabular bone deficiency is one of the problems associated with total hip arthroplasty in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hips. We studied the integration of the acetabular reconstruction (cemented socket) in a bulk femoral head autograft. Between 1995 and 2003, we compared 10 patients with a second group who were treated by means of uncemented acetabular components. All the patients had complained of moderate to severe pain.

The techniques for the two procedures, cemented and uncemented, were comparable. Out of the 10 cemented procedures, one failed. In the uncemented cup procedure, one also failed after surgery. The results were comparable with published figures and encourage us to continue using the cemented procedure.

Introduction: The distorted anatomy in Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) makes a total hip arthroplasty (THA) a challenging procedure. The purpose of the current study is to report the midterm results after uncemented primary hip arthroplasty using S ROM prosthesis in a prospective series of patients with hip dysplasia.

Methods: We performed 22 uncemented total hip replacements using S ROM prosthesis in 21 (12 female and 9 male) patients with hip dysplasia. The means age at the time of hip surgery was 41.8 (22 to 64) years. The mean follow-up was 6.3 (3.8 to 9.6) years. In 9 (40.9%) patients the operative treatment of DDH was performed during the early childhood (femoral osteotomy in 6 and pelvic osteotomy in 3). All patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically. The femoral head displacement prior to THA surgery was classified according to Crowe at al. classification (4 hips were type1, 2 type2, 10 type3 and 6 type 4).

Results: The average Harris Hip Score improved from 29.48 to 72.76 (44 to 99) and the average Oxford hip score is 31.22 (12 to 47). The range of flexion is 60°–120° (average 83.23) and abduction is 10°–40°(average 22.94). None of the hips has dislocated. Radiolucent lines were noted around the femoral stem in one case. None of the cases have developed osteolysis around femoral prosthesis. In one patient (4.5%), revision hip surgery was done for aseptic loosening of cemented acetabular cup.

Discussion: The midterm results of total hip replacement in DDH using S ROM uncemented prosthesis are promising. We recommend this modular prosthesis for hip replacement in dysplastic hips.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to analyze the patellofemoral kinematics in neglected adult developmental dysplasia of the hip patients with patellofemoral symptoms and tried to clarify the affect of the severity of dislocation, the amount of limb length discrepancy, the deviation of mechanical axis and the changes in femoral anteversion on patellofemoral alignment.

Aim: To assess whether use of the Pavlik harness for the management of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) can safely be discontinued without weaning.

Method: The study group comprised babies diagnosed with DDH at the Royal Liverpool Children’s hospital over a 10 year period, between January 1995 and August 2004. The decision to instigate treatment with a Pavlik harness was based upon the Graf grade. We used Graf IIB or worse as our treatment threshold for the use of the Pavlik harness. In our practice the harness was removed when the hips were ultrasonographically and clinically normal, without a period of weaning.

Results: There were 368 hips (273 babies) for analysis, 178 cases of unilateral DDH (128 left hips and 50 right hips) and 95 bilateral cases. Mean age at diagnosis was 59 days (range 1 – 187 days) with twenty-six patients presenting late after the usual 120 day time limit. Treatment with the Pavlik harness was successful in normalising 323 hips (87.8%). The Pavlik harness was unsuccessful in reducing 45 dislocations (12.2%). Patients were followed-up for a mean of 4.1 ± 2.7 years with no deterioration of acetabular indices on plane radiographs, according to the Tonnis classification. There were 4 hips with possible grade I avascular necrosis. To date there have been no cases of late dysplasia.

Conclusions: Although many units remove the harness after a period of gradual weaning, practice is varied. Since we did not encounter any negative outcome despite not weaning we conclude that that weaning is unnecessary.

Aims: This study shows the efþcacy of The Pavlik harness for the treatment of Development Dysplasia of hip (DDH) using ultrasonographic monitoring. Methods: Between 1995–2000 we treated 149 dysplastic hips in 117 babies. According to the Grafñs classiþcation 90 were dysplastic type IIB, IIC, IID hips; 59 were dislocated Type IIIA, IIIB and IV hips. Babies were regularly monitored using ultrasound unto 26 weeks and radiographs up to 5 years in dislocated hips for bony roof angle. Results: The average full time harness treatment was 12.2 (range 6–20) weeks, average follow up was 55 (range 30–90) months. The harness failed to reduce 14 hips (9.5% of total hips). Two cases continue to show a small femoral ossiþc nuclei at 30 months follow up. The hips showed no signiþcant difference in acetabular index from the normal values at follow up radiographs. Conclusions: We conclude that using this protocol, successful initial treatment of DDH with the Pavlik harness appears to restore normal development of the hip.

Twenty-Six total hip arthroplasties were performed in Crowe grade 3 or 4 hip dysplasia using subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy with 2-kinds of femoral stem(Primary monoblock and modular femoral stem). The average age was 46.2 years, and the average follow-up was 4.1 years. Acetabular reconstruction with structural autograft was used in 13 hips. Radiologically, hip centers were nearly normalized by vertical height of 10.6mm elevation and horizontal lengths of 1.7mm compared with uninvolved sites. Three of four osteotomy nonunions were managed with bone graft and other one wating for surgery. One acetabular revision was performed for migration. One postoperative dislocation was managed successfully with closed reduction and abduction brace. One patient (> 7cm) showed postoperative neurologic complications was noted. Harris hip score was improved from 35.6 to 81.7. A cementless modular distal fluted femoral stem is a useful device in these patients.

Introduction: The results of a 10 year prospective hip ultrasound surveillance programme of ‘at risk’ or clinically unstable hips are analysed.

Method: Between June 1992 and may 2002, there were 34723 births in the Blackburn area. Over this period 2,578 infants with unstable hips and or risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip were assessed with bilateral hip ultrasound scans. Clinically unstable hips were imaged within two weeks post natally and those with ‘at risk’ groups within eight weeks. All results were collected prospectively by the senior author. The degree of Dysplasia was classified using Graf’s alpha angle. Dynamic instability or irreductable dislocation was recorded.

Results: Early dislocation was present in 77 patients of which 53 (68.8%) were referred as being Ortolani-positive or unstable, only 24 were identified from the screening programme alone. The dislocation rate was 2.6 per 1000 live births. There were 21 irreducible dislocations in 19 infants, a rate of 0.54 per 1000 live births.

Only 31.2 % of the dislocated hips belonged to the major ‘at risk’ group. In infants referred for possible clinical instability one dislocation was detected for every 8.5 infants screened, whereas in the ‘at risk’ group this number rose to 1 in 88. From the ‘at risk’ groups those with breech and a positive family history were most likely to reveal a dislocation. There was a 1:45 chance of instability/irreducibility in family history, compared with a 1:70 chance in breech presentation or 1:71 chance in foot abnormality. No patients with oligohydramnios alone had evidence of hip instability or dislocation. If type III dysplasia is assessed there is a 1:22 chance in family history, a 1:43 chance in breech presentation and a 1:61 chance in foot deformity.

Discussion: Screening groups with possible risk factors such as oligohydramnios or Caesarian section cannot be justified. Selective ultrasound screening of the clinical instability, family history, breech presentation and foot abnormality groups looking for dislocation or type III dysplasia may be justified on a National basis.

The authors evaluate the incidence, patterns and causative factors of avascular necrosis (AVN) in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and to follow up these patients to determine what their long term functional and radiological outcome is.

All patients treated for DDH by the same consultant with the subsequent development of AVN were assessed. Outcome was assessed by grading the AVN using the Kalamchi and McEwan classification at final follow up.

A group of 250 hips with DDH were treated over a 16 year period and reviewed. All hips that developed AVN were studied. AVN was seen in 15% of hips treated with closed reduction and 62% of hips after open reduction–32% of the hips treated in the open reduction group were treated elsewhere and subsequently referred.

If use of a Pavlik harness fails, children with DDH should be treated with pre reduction traction, closed reduction and spica cast after the age of 4 months. In the surgical group a capsulorrhaphy should be avoided. Poor radiological outcome at final follow up was not necessarily equivalent to a poor clinical outcome.

Aims: Prospective study to evaluate the radiological outcome of developmental dysplasia of the hips at 1 year, which were ultrasonographically abnormal at birth. Methods: Routine ultrasound screening for neonatal hip instability has been carried out in Coventry since June 1989. Of the 8007 babies born in Coventry during 1997,1998 and early 1999, 534(6.6%) babies were found to have early ultrasonographic abnormality. Inclusion criteria for our study were an early abnormal ultrasound examination in babies with no other risk factors. Pavlik harness treatment was started for babies with persistent abnormality. Results: 212 babies were available for follow up at 1year with X-ray for measurement. Study criteria matched 230 new born hips in 115 babies with average radiographic follow-up of 52 weeks (range 48Ð60weeks). Acetabular angle and the femoral head epiphysis were measured from the pelvic X-ray. The results were statistically analyzed and the F-value was calculated. Ultrasonic abnormality was common in female babies (83%: 17%) compared to male babies. The results in the severely abnormal group following treatment with Pavlik Harness were found to be the same as the mildly abnormal group. Conclusions: We hereby conclude that treatment of the severely abnormal group with Pavlik Harness has resulted in no statistically signiþcant radiological abnormality in the acetabular angle and the growth of the femoral head epiphysis at 1-year follow up.

There is no consensus regarding the optimum frequency of ultrasound for monitoring the response to Pavlik harness (PH) treatment in developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH). The purpose of our study was to determine if a limited-frequency hip ultrasound (USS) assessment in children undergoing PH treatment for DDH had an adverse effect on treatment outcomes when compared to traditional comprehensive ultrasound monitoring. This study was a single-center non-inferiority randomized controlled trial. Children aged less than six months of age with dislocated, dislocatable and stable dysplastic hips undergoing a standardized treatment program with a PH were randomized, once stability had been achieved, to our current standard USS monitoring protocol (every clinic visit) or to a limited-frequency ultrasound protocol (USS only until hip stability and then end of treatment). Groups were compared based on alpha angle at the end of treatment, acetabular indices (AI) and IHDI grade on follow up radiographs at one-year post harness and complication rates. The premise was that if there were no differences in these outcomes, either protocol could be deemed safe and effective. One hundred patients were recruited to the study; after exclusions, 42 patients completed the standard protocol (SP) and 36 completed the limited protocol (LP). There was no significant difference between the mean age between both groups at follow up x-ray (SP: 17.8 months; LP: 16.6 months; p=0.26). There was no difference between the groups in mean alpha angle at the end of treatment (SP: 69°; LP: 68.1°: p=0.25). There was no significant difference in the mean right AI at follow up (SP: 23.1°; LP: 22.0°; p=0.26), nor on the left (SP:23.3°; LP 22.8°; p=0.59). All hips in both groups were IHDI grade 1 at follow up. The only complication was one femoral nerve palsy in the SP group. In addition, the LP group underwent a 60% reduction in USS use once stable. We found that once dysplastic or dislocated hips were reduced and stable on USS, a limited- frequency ultrasound protocol was not associated with an inferior complication or radiographic outcome profile compared to a standardized PH treatment pathway. Our study supports reducing the frequency of ultrasound assessment during PH treatment of hip dysplasia. Minimizing the need for expensive, time-consuming and in-person health care interventions is critical to reducing health care costs, improving patient experience and assists the move to remote care. Removing the need for USS assessment at every PH check will expand care to centers where USS is not routinely available and will facilitate the establishment of virtual care clinics where clinical examination may be performed remotely

Background:. Leg length discrepancy related to absence of the femoral head with proximal migration of the femur presents a treatment dilemma. Late sequelae of neonatal hip sepsis and chronic hip dislocation due to developmental dysplasia are the most common causes. Traditional teaching dictates that the hip is stabilised prior to limb lengthening. Reconstructive options alter the shape of the proximal femur which complicates future surgery. Methods:. We retrospectively reviewed 3 cases of femoral lengthening with an ‘unstable’ hip without prior stabilization. The aetiology was neonatal hip sepsis in 2 cases and chronic hip dislocation due to developmental dysplasia in 1 case. Lengthening was performed with the use of a retrograde Precice lengthening nail. Results and Discussion:. The desired length (range 5.5 to 6cm) was achieved in all patients without migration of the proximal femur. In all cases patient satisfaction was high with the lengthening and the ability to abort shoe raises. There was an improvement in gait pattern in all patients. Conclusion:. Femoral lengthening is possible without prior stabilisation of the hip in so called ‘unstable’ hip situations. The proximal femoral anatomy is not further altered and future salvage procedures such as a total hip replacement are not compromised

Background. In total hip arthroplasty (THA), the importance of preserving muscle is widely recognized. It is important to preserve the short external rotator muscles because they contribute to joint stability and prevent postoperative dislocation. However, despite careful capsular release and femoral rasping, damage to the short external rotator muscles may occur. The Optymis Shot Stem preserves more bone and surrounding tissue than does a traditional primary stem. We investigated the usefulness of the stem in terms of the extent of preservation of the tendon attachment on the greater trochanter. Method. In this study, we enrolled 31 consecutive patients (39 hips; 6 males, 25 females) who underwent THA. Simultaneous bilateral THA was performed in 8 patients. The patients’ mean age was 56.1 years. Diagnoses included developmental dysplasia in 35 hips (Crowe group 1: 31 hips, group 2: 4 hips), and sequel of Perthes disease in 4 hips. All THAs were performed via the direct anterior approach without traction tables. The femoral procedure was performed with the hip hyperextended, and posterior capsular release was performed if the femoral procedure became technically difficult. We compared the following among patients: the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, rate of posterior capsular release, postoperative radiographic findings, WOMAC score before and after surgery, and any complications. Results. The mean operative time was 42.0 ± 8.9 min, the mean intraoperative blood loss was 308 ± 196 g, and the mean hospital stay was 6.7 ± 1.3 days. Posterior capsular release was performed in 17 hips [44%; 10 hips (32%) in Crowe group 1, 8 hips (88%) for other diagnoses]. The total WOMAC score improved significantly from 42.4 points preoperatively to 11.2 points at 3 months preoperatively. A postoperative stem subsidence ≥3 mm was observed in 1 hip (2.6%), whereas postoperative dislocation, intra- and postoperative periprosthetic fracture, and thigh pain were not observed. Conclusions. The Optymis Short Stem could be placed without performing posterior capsular release in 68% of patients with Crowe group 1 developmental dysplasia. We therefore consider the stem as useful for preserving the tendon attachment on the greater trochanter

There are a growing number of younger patients with developmental dysplasia of hip, proximal femoral deformity and osteonecrosis seeking surgical intervention to restore quality of life, and the advent of ISTCs has resulted in a greater proportion of such cases being referred to existing NHS departments. Bone-saving hip athroplasty is often advocated for younger active patients, as they are potential candidates for subsequent revision arthroplasty. If resurfacing is contraindicated, short bone-conserving stems may be an option. The rationale for short stems in cementless total hip arthroplasty is proximal load transfer and absence of distal fixation, resulting in preserved femoral bone stock and avoidance of thigh pain. We have carried out 17 short stem hip replacements (Mini-hip, Corin Medical, Cirencester, UK) using ceramic bearings in 16 patients since June 2010. There were 14 females and 2 males, with a mean age of 50.1 years (range 35–63 years) at the time of the surgery. The etiology was osteoarthritis in 11, developmental dysplasia in 4, and osteonecrosis of the femoral head in one patient. All operations were performed through a conservative anterolateral (Bauer) approach. These patients are being followed and evaluated clinically with the Harris and Oxford hip scores, with follow-up at 6 weeks, 3 months, and annually thereafter. Initital results have been encouraging in terms of pain relief, restoration of leg length (one of the objectives in cases of shortening) and rage of movement. Radiological assessment has shown restoration of hip biomechanics. Specific techniques are required to address varus, valgus and femoral deformity with leg length inequality. There are two main groups of short stems, those that are neck-preserving and those that do not preserve the femoral neck. The latter group requires traditional techniques for revision. Another feature that differentiates them is the availability of modularity. The device we employed is neck-preserving and available with different neck lengths and offsets, which help in restoration of hip biomechanics. The advantage of such short stems may be preservation of proximal femoral bone stock, decreased stress shielding and the ease of potential revision. Such devices may be a consideration for patients with malformations of the proximal femur. Long-term follow-up will be of value in determining if perceived benefits are realised in practice