Since 1989 the Ganz periacetabular osteotomy has been performed in Christchurch for pain arising from hip dysplasia in selected patients. This review was performed to assess symptoms, function and radiographic appearances at a medium term follow up. The results of 14 peri-acetabular osteotomies performed in 13 patients was evaluated. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 23 years (range 17–44). The mean duration of follow up was 5 years (3 months to 13 years). The follow up examination included clinical evaluation, chart review and radiographic analysis. Of the 13 patients evaluated, improvement in pain was achieved in 12. One required a hip replacement and intermittent discomfort was noted in 3 resulting in restriction in activites. Complications included sciatic nerve palsy (1), leg length discrepancy (2), superficial wound infection (1), scar tenderness (2), numbness in lateral femoral cutaneous nerve distribution (5) and pain from prominent metalware (1). Improvement in femoral head coverage was seen in all patients on follow up x-ray with minimal progression of arthritic changes. Improvement in symptoms ranging from complete relief of pain and participation in high intensity sporting events to intermittent discomfort was achieved. One failure occurred requiring arthroplasty. Significant complications occurred but have largely resolved. The osteotomy was successful in obtaining good relief of symptoms and has prevented the requirement for total hip replacement in this young active group.
Surgical dislocation of the hip joint using the technique developed by Rheinhold Ganz, is a relatively new method for surgical exposure of the hip. A review of 8 cases that underwent surgical dislocation of the hip joint was undertaken, to assess the short term outcome, complications associated with the procedure and to identify some of the indications for this technique. This is a retrospective analysis of surgical dislocation in two centers undertaken by the same surgeon with a maximum follow up period of one year. Surgical dislocation of the hip allows access to the hip joint with some associated morbidity due to the surgical exposure but there were no cases of avascular necrosis in the short term follow up. We were able to define specific pathological conditions affecting the hip where there is significant improvement following treatment using this method of exposure of the hip joint. Good exposure of the hip joint is obtained via surgical dislocation so allowing good access for surgical intervention. There is an associated morbidity with the technique but this method of hip exposure allows an alternative to hip arthroscopy and allows easier access to the joint for the treatment of intra articular pathology.
The use of PMMA cement vertebroplasty for the treatment of severe disabling focal back pain as a result of osteoporotic compression fractures is well established. However clinical experience of this treatment is limited in New Zealand. This study reports a technique and indications for this treatment and early clinical results. A prospective study of eight cases of severe disabling focal back pain due to osteoporotic compression fractures was undertaken. These were treated with percutaneous transpedicle vertebroplasty. The patient’s pain was assessed before and after the treatment using a visual analogue pain scale. All eight patients reported an improvement in pain immediately and at one month following the procedure. A sustained improvement in pain followed the vertebroplasty. This is consistent with other case reports in the literature although in this study the response appears to be less dramatic than that reported in other series.
