Operative reconstruction of the severe sequelae of infantile septic arthritis of the hip

We retrospectively reviewed the results of operative reconstruction of 21 hips in 21 patients with severe sequelae due to infantile septic arthritis of the hip. Eleven hips were classified as Choi type IIIA, 4 as type IIIB, 1 as type IVA, and 5 as type IVB sequelae. The average age at the time of the first surgery was 4.2 years, and the average follow-up period was 8.9 years. Successful results were obtained in 8 of the 11 type IIIA hips by means of a combination of open reduction, femoral varus osteotomy, and pelvic osteotomy. However, only 2 of the 4 type IIIB hips treated by femoral valgus osteotomy and/or bone grafting and 2 of the 6 types IVA and IVB hips treated by greater trochanter arthroplasty had successful results.