The purpose of the study was to assess the usefulness of this combination of operations in this challenging patient group.

18 patients (19 hips) with cerebral palsy and painful subluxed or dislocated hips underwent hip resurfacing with shortening and rotation osteotomy of the femur between 1999 and 2005. The mean age was 25 (range 14–59) and follow-up averaged 47 months. Eleven patients were quadriplegic, five were diplegic and two were hemiplegic.

There were no infections. There were two plate cut-outs and two dislocations. All stabilised following necessary treatment. Four plates were removed after about one year. All quadriplegic and four of the diplegic patients were chair-bound pre-operatively. Their carers all felt that their comfort sitting had improved. Seventeen patients (eighteen hips) were pain-free at latest follow-up. One patient, whose plate had not been removed had some lateral tenderness on transferring, but no apparent pain on sitting. Three of the previously chairbound diplegic patients were able to stand and one was able to walk.

As all eighteen of the carers were very satisfied with the outcome, this approach to the treatment of these challenging patients has proved promising

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictors of outcome of hip reconstruction in cerebral palsy patients. Methods: 71 hip reconstructions in 38 patients [mean age 9.7] were reviewed retrospectively. Information regarding pre- and postoperative status, and operative details were retrieved from the clinical records. Preoperative, postoperative and annual follow up radiographs were reviewed to document acetabular index, Rimmer’s migration percentage (MP) and CE angle. Results: The mean MP improved from 84% to 43.8%. In 17 patients who underwent bilateral reconstruction the MP of the secondarily affected hips was improved from 38% to 12.2% The early follow up measurements of acetabular index, MP and CE angle had a significant correlation with the eventual postoperative outcome (p< 0.05). In a group of 22 patients hip pain was improved in 18 patients, sitting tolerance in 14, and perineal hygiene improved in 7 patients. There was no correlation between preoperative pelvic obliquity and open versus closed reduction with the eventual outcome. Discussion: The final outcome of the reconstruction can be predicted consistently from the first postoperative radiograph (MP). The quality of reduction at the time of operation is of paramount significance in ensuring long-term survival of the reconstruction. Subluxed hips in general did better than dislocated hips. The hips showed gradual deterioration over time

Aims

Hip disease is common in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and can decrease quality of life and function. Surveillance programmes exist to improve outcomes by treating hip disease at an early stage using radiological surveillance. However, studies and surveillance programmes report different radiological outcomes, making it difficult to compare. We aimed to identify the most important radiological measurements and develop a core measurement set (CMS) for clinical practice, research, and surveillance programmes.