Introduction: There are several possibilities for the treatment of Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP) disease in older age group (more than 10 years of age): varus femoral osteotomies, different pelvic osteotomies (Salter, Chiari, triple), and the combination of pelvic and femoral osteotomies (Salter with femoral shortening).

Material and methods: We analyzed 214 hips with LCP disease surgically treated in our Institute in the period 1972–1999. Age of our patients ranged from 10–13 years. All of them were operated in the fragmentation phase of the disease. The distribution according to Catteral classification was: group II – 29 (13,5%), group III – 108 (50,5%), group IV – 77 (36%). Different risk factors were present in 154 (72%) cases. We performed: 69 (32,3%) varus femoral osteotomies, 32 (14,9%) Salter osteotomies, 69 (32,3%) Salter osteotomies with femoral shortening, 23 (10,7%) Chiariosteotomies and 21 (9,8%) triple pelvic osteotomies. There were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups (preoperatively). Postoperativelly hips were assessed clinically and radiologically. Follow-up period was in average 9,2 years (at least 3 years).

Results: All procedures showed improvement in hip containment and functional status. The best anatomical results were in the group of patients treated by triple pelvic osteotomy (p=0,02), very good results were found in the groups of patients treated by varus femoral osteotomy and Salter osteotomy with femoral shortening, whereas the results of treatment in the other groups were slightly worse. Triple pelvic osteotomy and Salter osteotomy (with or without femoral shortening) showed the best functional recovery. Positive Trendelenburg sign and waddling gait were present only in the groups of patients treated by varus femoral osteotomy and Chiariosteotomy.

Conclusion: Triple pelvic osteotomy is the best procedure for the treatment of LCP disease in the older age group