Lateral growth disturbances of the capital femoral epiphysis after nonoperative treatment of late developmental dislocation of the hip: thirty-five cases followed to skeletal maturity

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of type 2 growth disturbances in the developing hip and compare it with other treated hips without evidence of growth arrest. Radiographic data of 117 children (155 hips) with late developmental dislocation of the hip treated by closed reduction at an average age of 14.9 months and followed to skeletal maturity were retrospectively reviewed. Depending on the presence of lateral growth disturbances, our patients were divided into 2 groups similar with regard to age and treatment methods. Lateral physeal arrest was evident at an average age of 8.9 years in 23% of these hips. Seventy-six percent of these hips with type 2 avascular necrosis were classified as Severin classes 1 and 2. One quarter of them had no deformity of femoral head, 8 had deformity of 2 mm or less, and 18 more than 2 mm. There was no statistical difference in satisfactory and unsatisfactory results or most parameters describing the acetabulum between the 2 groups. Lateral tilting of the proximal femoral epiphysis in most cases does not affect final radiologic results. It is a mild form of avascular necrosis and indications for secondary operative procedures are mostly related to natural history of the disease rather than to lateral physeal arrest.     

Hip joint deformity caused by osteochondrosis in the course of treatment of congenital dysplasia of the hip]

A series of 73 patients with avascular necrosis complicating surgical or nonsurgical treatment for congenital hip dysplasia is presented. The femoral head, neck and subcapital growth plate has been damaged in all cases. A-P radiographs of proximal femur revealed three types of growth disturbances: lateral, medial and total one. Localization of growth plate damage determined the type of growth disturbances. Mutual features for all types were: shortening of the femoral neck and growth disproportion between femoral head and greater trochanter. In 43 hips the greater trochanter grew over the femoral head and constituted the most proximal part of the femur (trochanter altus). Growth disturbances of the acetabulum coexisted (primary and secondary acetabular dysplasia). Radiological parameters of deformed hips have been compared with normal values.     

Radiological evaluation of unstable (acute) slipped capital femoral epiphysis treated by pinning with Kirschner wires

Treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis is still controversial with regard to the implants used for stabilization and the need for prophylactic treatment of the contralateral, unaffected, side. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether prophylactic transfixation of the epiphysis with Kirschner wires in patients with unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis resulted in significant disturbance of the growth plate and impairment of further growth of the femoral neck and head. Between 1990 and 1999, 29 patients with unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis were simultaneously treated with internal fixation of the epiphysis and metaphysis with 3-4 Kirschner wires on the affected and the not (yet) affected side. After a mean follow-up of 3.5 years, we evaluated the hip joints radiologically, analysing different roentgenological parameters (CCD angle, femoral head diameter, length of the femoral neck and sphericity of the femoral head). CCD angle, femoral head diameter and length of the femoral neck showed statistically significant (P<0.001, Student's t-test) differences between the affected and unaffected, but prophylactically pinned, sides. Asphericity of the femoral head was found in six cases only on the affected side, whereas all hips, which were operated prophylactically, showed spherical femoral heads at follow-up (P<0.02, Pearson's chi test). These results indicate that the slip itself may cause impairment of the femoral growth plate in patients with unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis and not stabilization with Kirschner wires. Compared with other series from the literature using different implants (screws, nails), prophylactic transfixation of the epiphysis and metaphysis with Kirschner wires is less compromising to the growth plate on the not (yet) affected side.     

Rationale of osteotomy and related procedures for hip preservation: a review

Most osteoarthrosis of the hip results from chronic abnormal hip mechanics, often associated with instability, impingement, or combinations of instability and impingement. The etiology of the mechanical problems in many hips is a surgically treatable anatomic abnormality, often a developmental deformity (dysplasia, Perthes disease, slipped epiphysis, femoral or acetabular retroversion, or reduced head-neck offset). The rationale of mechanically-based measures to prevent or treat osteoarthrosis assumes the following: (1) correctable mechanical overload is a major etiologic factor in osteoarthrosis; and (2) relief of the mechanical overload can prevent or improve osteoarthrosis. The success of such mechanically-based joint-preserving measures depends largely on the completeness with which the joint-preserving treatment normalizes the mechanical environment of the hip. A limiting factor often is the amount of irreversible articular damage that is present at the time treatment is begun.     

Clinical features and treatment of the hip in multiple epiphyseal dysplasia in childhood

Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia is a rare congenital osteochondrodysplasia disorder characterized by a delay in the appearance of the epiphyses; irregular, symmetric epiphyseal formation; mild short stature; and early-onset osteoarthritis. Peripheral weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing joints can be affected. Treatment of the hip deformity in multiple epiphyseal dysplasia is a challenge for orthopedic surgeons.We reviewed the clinical features and treatment options of hip joints affected by multiple epiphyseal dysplasia in 6 young patients (4 boys and 2 girls). Average patient age was 8.8 years (range, 5-14 years). The spectrum of hip joint deformity ranged from mild to severe. Surgical procedures included intertrochanteric extension osteotomy of the femur in 2 patients (4 hips), Staheli acetabular augmentation in 1 patient (2 hips), and trochanter arthroplasty associated with Dega osteotomy in 2 patients (4 hips). One patient did not undergo surgical treatment. All patients were followed up for an average 7.2 years. Joint function improved in the patients treated surgically. The coxa vara deformity was corrected satisfactorily, and the femoral head was covered completely by the acetabulum.Good mid-term outcomes were obtained for the treatment of severe hip deformity by using intertrochanteric extension osteotomy and trochanter arthroplasty. However, because of the inherent nature of this disorder, long-term follow-up of the patients is required.     

Medial percutaneous hemi-epiphysiodesis improves the valgus tilt of the femoral head in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) type-II avascular necrosis: Good outcome in 11 hips

Background and purpose

Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a major cause of disability after treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), leading to femoral head deformity, acetabular dysplasia, and osteoarthritis in adult life. Type-II AVN is characterized by retarded growth in the lateral aspect of the physis or by premature lateral fusion, which produces a valgus deformity of the head on the neck of the femur. We investigated the effect of medial percutaneous hemi-epiphysiodesis as a novel technique in the treatment of late-diagnosed type-II AVN.

Patients and methods

9 patients (11 hips) with a diagnosis of type-II AVN who underwent medial percutaneous hemi-epiphysiodesis after the surgical treatment for DDH were included in the study. 10 patients (12 hips) with the same diagnosis but who did not undergo hemi-epiphysodesis were chosen as a control group. Preoperative and postoperative articulotrochanteric distances, head-shaft angles, CE (center-edge) angles, and physeal inclination angles were measured. The treatment group underwent medial hemi-epiphysodesis at a mean age of 8 years. The mean ages of the treatment group and the control group at final follow-up were 14 and 12 years respectively. The mean duration of follow-up was 5.7 years in the treatment group and 8.3 years in the control group.

Results

Preoperative articulotrochanteric distance, head-shaft angle, and functional outcome at the final follow-up assessment were similar in the 2 groups. However, preoperative and postoperative CE angles and physeal inclination angles differed significantly in the treatment group (p < 0.05). The final epiphyseal valgus angles were better in the treatment group than in the control group (p = 0.05). The treatment group improved after the operation.

Interpretation

Medial percutaneous epiphysiodesis performed through a mini-incision under fluoroscopic control is a worthwhile modality in terms of changing the valgus tilt of the femoral head.Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the proximal femoral epiphysis is an iatrogenic complication of treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) (Danielsson 2000, Dhar 2003, Domalzki and Synder 2004, Roposch et al.2013). A late abnormality that may be the manifestation of the lateral portion of the capital femoral growth plate in type-II AVN alters the morphology of hip joint (Kalamchi and MacEwen 1980). When a progressive valgus deformity occurs in a patient with type-II AVN, problems associated with hip dysplasia may follow (Siffert 1981, Campbell and Tarlos 1990, Kim et al. 2000, Wu et al. 2010, Herring 2014). Due to inadequate coverage, reduced contact area between acetabulum and femoral head leads to early secondary osteoarthritis (Aronson 1986, Inoue et al. 2000, Herring 2014).The treatment decision for type-II AVN is challenging. Procedures such as varus femoral osteotomy and redirectional acetabular osteotomy have been used with a view to preventing future degenerative disease. However, these procedures are technically difficult and may result in serious complications (Siebenrock et al. 2013). On the other hand, as the main pathology is the growth disturbance at the lateral aspect of the femoral head, some form of arrest of the medial portion of the growth plate may be more logical in the treatment of type-II AVN (Herring 2014). We analyzed the radiographic and clinical outcomes of 11 hips in 9 patients with late-diagnosed type-II AVN who underwent percutaneous hemi-epiphysiodesis of the femoral head.     

Clinical implications of anatomical wear characteristics in slipped capital femoral epiphysis and primary osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: This study compares the wear characteristics in slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) with those of primary osteoarthritis (OA) in adult patients with advanced arthritis. METHODS: One hundred femoral heads and proximal neck specimens were studied from SCFE patients (16 hips) and from primary OA (84 hips) patients undergoing total hip arthroplasties (THA). Grade 4 chondromalacia was plotted on a 2-dimensional (2-D) paper grid. Computer tomographic scans were used to create 3-D models of the femoral head and neck to trace the wear patterns. RESULTS: The SCFE group was characterized by (1) loss of neck-head offset, (2) acetabular neck impingement, and (3) loss of superior peripheral articular cartilage adjacent to superior neck. Whereas the primary OA group showed (1) preservation of head-neck offset, (2) absence of acetabular neck impingement, and (3) preservation of superior peripheral articular cartilage. The 3-D modeling in SCFE specimens demonstrated acetabular impingement on the superior lateral femoral neck causing the femur to externally rotate with flexion. The SCFE patients undergoing THA on average were 11 years younger than those with primary OA. The study strongly suggests that the abnormal rotation of the femoral head in SCFE patients causes thinner superior lateral articular cartilage on the femoral head to articulate with the acetabulum. The pistol-grip deformity of the proximal femur in the SCFE group results in hip impingement, which explains why hip flexion and internal rotation can be restricted. CONCLUSIONS: There was a premature development of advanced OA of the adult hip joint in SCFE patients. This was associated with hip impingement caused by loss of the head-neck offset and reorientation of the articular cartilage of the femoral head. Unless the femoral head is redirected in patients with SCFE, the benefits of limited hip preservation debridement procedures are not expected to delay the onset and progression of arthritis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic study.     

Efficacy of alumina ceramic heads for cemented total hip arthroplasty.

Fifty-seven cemented total hip arthroplasties (THAs) were reviewed in cases of osteoarthrosis secondary to congenital dysplasia or dislocation. The bearing surface of the prosthesis used in this series consists of a polyethylene acetabular component on an alumina ceramic head. All acetabular components were positioned at the same level as the original acetabulum, and an autologous femoral head graft was performed for 18 hips. The follow-up period ranged from five to eight years, averaging six years two months. The latest survey showed excellent and good results for 53 hips (92.9%). Four acetabular components (7%) and two femoral components (3.5%) showed roentgenographic evidence of loosening. Only one hip (1.8%) had to be treated with revision surgery for femoral component loosening. None of the cases suffered a broken ceramic head. The use of a total hip prosthesis with an alumina ceramic head in THA is likely to lead to excellent results for patients with osteoarthrosis of the hip.     

Analysis of acetabular changes in Morbus Perthes disease with radiomorphometry

AIM: Decreases in depth and irregularity are typical changes of the acetabulum in patients with Perthes disease and develop secondary to the femoral head involvement. Optimal timing of therapy plays an important role to prevent these secondary changes. The present study investigates the influence of the amount of femoral head involvement and the patients' age on the acetabulum and the outcome. METHODS: 66 patients with 76 affected hip joints were included in the study. 20 hips had a conservative therapy, 22 an operative therapy (IVO). 34 hip joints underwent a conservative therapy at first, followed by an operative intervention. The radiomorphometric analyses at the time of diagnosis, pre- and postoperatively and at follow-up were performed with epiphyseal ratio, acetabular ratio and acetabulum-head ratio. At the time of diagnosis the patients were classified with the Catterall classification, at follow-up with Mose classification. RESULTS: Independent from therapy there was a correlation of the parameters with Catterall classification over the whole course, i.e., the higher the Catterall group the worse the parameter at the time of diagnosis as well as at follow-up. Operatively treated patients with Catterall IV tended towards a worse result of the epiphyseal ratio whereas they achieved better results in the other parameters compared to conservatively treated patients. Catteral I and II patients achieved good results. CONCLUSION: Operative treatment of the higher Catterall groups seems to be more effective than conservative therapy. Secondary changes of the acetabulum develop in proportion to the amount of femoral head involvement.     

Sequelae and reconstruction after septic arthritis of the hip in infants

We evaluated the residual deformity and late treatment of thirty-four hips of thirty-one children who had had septic arthritis when they were less than one year old. The hips were classified into four groups on the basis of radiographic changes. Type-I deformity (five hips) involved transient ischemia of the epiphysis, with or without mild coxa magna, and these hips did not need reconstruction. Type-II deformity (eleven hips) included deformity of the epiphysis, physis, and metaphysis, and these hips needed an operation to prevent subluxation; the goals of the operation included improvement in acetabular coverage, improvement in abductor efficiency by epiphyseodesis or transfer of the greater trochanter, and equalization of limb-length discrepancy by epiphyseodesis of the contralateral limb. Type-III deformity (five hips) involved malalignment of the femoral neck, with extreme anteversion or retroversion or with a pseudarthrosis of the femoral neck that necessitated a realignment osteotomy of the proximal part of the femur or bone-grafting of the pseudarthrosis. Type-IV deformity (thirteen hips) included destruction of the femoral head and neck, with persistence of only a remnant of the medial base of the femoral neck. In the hips that had a Type-IV deformity, the complex clinical problems, which included severe limb-length discrepancy and incompetent articulation of the hip, necessitated operations such as Pemberton osteotomy, trochanteric arthroplasty, arthrodesis, epiphyseodesis of the contralateral limb, and lengthening of the ipsilateral tibia. The functional result was satisfactory in all five hips that had a Type-I deformity, in seven of eleven that had a Type-II deformity, in three of four that had a Type-III deformity, and in only four of thirteen that had a Type-IV deformity.     

Anterior physeal separation. A sign indicating a high risk for avascular necrosis after slipped capital femoral epiphysis

A study of 78 children (110 hips) was undertaken in an attempt to assess the risk of avascular necrosis (AVN) after slipped capital femoral epiphysis based on the radiological appearances of the hip at the time of presentation. Physeal separation, which was defined as the amount of separation of the anterior lip of the epiphysis from the metaphysis on the frog lateral view, was assessed. Of the eight hips which developed AVN, seven had anterior physeal separation. We conclude that anterior physeal separation is associated with a high incidence of subsequent AVN after slipped capital femoral epiphysis and that screw fixation may not be appropriate in these patients.     

The value of early postoperative bone scan in slipped capital femoral epiphysis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and predictive value of early postoperative bone scan for detection of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head after surgical treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. We reviewed records of 49 patients (64 hips) operated on between 1980 and 1997 with a mean follow-up of 3 years. Sixty-one out of 64 hips went through an early postoperative bone scan. The three hips that developed AVN showed significant loss of radionuclide uptake. There were neither false-positive or false-negative cases in this series. Early postoperative bone scan has an excellent sensitivity and predictive value for detection of AVN after surgical treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis.     

A transepiphyseal fracture of the proximal femur combined with a fracture of the mid-shaft of ipsilateral femur in a child: a case report and literature review

The paper describes a rare fracture of proximal femur, classified by Delbet (Am J Surg 6:793-797, 1929) as type I (transepiphyseal type) combined with a fracture of the midshaft of ipsilateral femur in a 2-year-old child. Immediate operation with open reduction and internal fixation was successful. During the postoperative course, avascular necrosis (AVN) of capital femoral epiphysis was seen by bone scan. Applying an abduction orthosis used for the treatment of Legg-Calvè-Perthes disease, collapse of capital epiphysis was prevented. Although, a minimal area of AVN and coxa vara remained, no clinical complaints were recorded at the midterm follow-up. While reviewing the relevant literature, the type-I fractures need to be subclassified into two types for appropriate treatment and/or prediction of outcomes based on their anatomic location of the separated femoral capital epiphysis. In type Ia, femoral capital epiphysis is minimally displaced and within the acetabulum and in type Ib it is widely displaced and lying outside the capsule. Our case is a first case of a type Ib fracture of the proximal femur combined with a fracture of the midshaft of ipsilateral femur. Since the complication rate and the prognosis differed between two subclasses, type-Ib fractures need immediate surgical intervention, our case was prevented from massive AVN. And to prevent the collapse of femoral head following AVN, a major complication of the fracture of proximal femur in child, abduction orthosis is recommended as a choice of treatment.     

Behavior of the proximal femur during the treatment of congenital dysplasia of the hip: a clinical long-term study

The influence of the acetabular cover on the development of the proximal femur during the treatment of congenital dysplasia of the hip was studied in 47 children (58 hips) with a follow-up of 22 years. Varus osteotomy failed to correct hip dysplasia in 33 hips of 27 children. Chiari osteotomy was followed by a positive anti-Chiari effect (oval shaped acetabulum with proximal migration of the femoral head) in 15 children (20 hips). In five children (five hips) with coxa vara due to avascular necrosis, the anti-Chiari effect was negative. The combination of Chiari and varus osteotomy before the age of 8 years was followed by a positive anti-Chiari effect and recurrence of valgus deformity in seven of eight hips. The long-term failure of the varus and Chiari osteotomy, together with a review of clinical and experimental surveys, led us to prefer the acetabular redirectional osteotomy.     

Long-term follow-up of Perthes' disease in adolescence

A total of 15 patients affected with Perthes' disease that occurred during adolescent were followed-up in order to study progression of the disease, and to identify the "risk factors" capable of influencing the future of the lesion. Age of onset was on the average 11 years (10-13 years), age at follow-up was 38 years (20-56 years). On diagnosis, 2 hips were classified as Catterall group II, 8 as group III, 6 as group IV. Treatment was conservative in 11 patients and surgical in 4 (valgus osteostomy). A total of 88% of the hips healed with deformity to a greater or lesser degree of the femoral epiphysis (Stulberg III-IV and V). The most significant prognostic factors that emerged from the present study were the early closing of growth plate (femoral and triradiate), disorders in growth of the proximal femur, acetabular roof insufficiency, and changes in the acetabulum.     

Histologic analysis of acetabular and proximal femoral bone in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that osteonecrosis of the femoral head may also involve the acetabulum and the proximal part of the femur. METHODS: Twenty-five patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty and thirty-eight patients who had a unilateral total hip arthroplasty for treatment of symptomatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head were included in the study. There were fifty-five men and eight women. The etiology of the osteonecrosis was idiopathic in forty patients (fifty-six hips, 64%), associated with ethanol abuse in eighteen patients (twenty-five hips, 28%), and associated with steroid use in five patients (seven hips, 8%). The mean age of the patients at the time of arthroplasty was 47.1 years. We performed cancellous bone biopsies in the acetabulum, the proximal part of the femur, and the femoral head intraoperatively and then examined the specimens histologically. RESULTS: Of the eighty-one hips with idiopathic or ethanol-associated osteonecrosis, seventy-six (94%) had normal or stage-1 bone in the acetabulum and the proximal part of the femur according to the system of Arlet and Ficat, and seventy-eight (97%) of the eighty-one had a grade of 0 or 1 according to the system of Humphreys et al. Of the seven hips with steroid-associated osteonecrosis, four had normal or stage-1 bone and a grade of 0 or 1 and three had stage-2 or 3 disease and a grade of 2 or 3. Therefore, the vast majority of hips with idiopathic or ethanol-associated osteonecrosis had normal or nearly normal bone in the acetabulum and the proximal part of the femur. Three of the seven hips with steroid-associated osteonecrosis had abnormal bone in the proximal part of the femur only. CONCLUSIONS: One can expect to find normal or nearly normal cancellous bone in the acetabulum and the proximal part of the femur of patients with either idiopathic or ethanol-associated osteonecrosis of the hip. More extensive osteonecrosis may accompany steroid-associated osteonecrosis of the hip.     

Bipolar hemiarthroplasty for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. A 7- to 18-year followup

This study evaluated clinical and radiographic results of bipolar hemiarthroplasties for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Forty-eight hips in 35 patients with a mean age of 37 years who underwent primary bipolar hemiarthroplasties were observed for an average of 11.4 years. Osteonecrosis was associated with corticosteroid use (21 patients), alcohol (six patients), idiopathic (four patients), and other conditions (four patients). The average Harris hip score was 46 before surgery and 86 at the time of the final followup. Twenty (42%) hips were radiographic failures, and 12 (25%) hips were revised. Groin symptoms were present in 20 (42%) hips. Radiographic proximal migration greater than 4 mm and osteoarthritic signs of the acetabulum indicated a high risk of groin symptoms. The results were inferior to those previously reported for total hip arthroplasty. Thus, for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in which necrotic lesions are wide, the authors no longer use this system and currently use total hip arthroplasty.     

Use of computed tomographic reconstruction in planning osteotomies of the hip.

Certain deformities of the hip joint seem to predispose the hip to the development of osteoarthrosis. Successful surgical correction of these deformities before the onset of osteoarthrosis requires accurate characterization of the anatomic deviations from normal as the first step in planning corrective osteotomy. Three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) reconstruction in planning reconstructive hip osteotomy has most often been employed in developmental dysplasia of the hip. Computed tomography scanning with three-dimensional reconstruction can characterize the often complex deviations from normal in shape and attitude of acetabulum and femoral head in cases with residual hip dysplasia. Three-dimensional reconstruction also allows simulation of redirectional femoral or pelvic osteotomies to facilitate precise application of newer powerful surgical techniques for reorienting the acetabulum.     

Growth disturbances of the proximal femur after pinning of juvenile slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Premature closure of the capital femoral physis after pin fixation of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) in the juvenile population (at least 1 year less than the established mean) can lead to growth disturbances of the proximal femur. A retrospective review of 21 patients (33 hips) who had a pinning of a juvenile SCFE was performed. Growth disturbances including greater trochanteric overgrowth, coxa vara, and coxa breva were noted in 64% of the hips. An 80% incidence of bilateral involvement was noted in the juvenile group. Consideration should be given to prophylactic pinning of the contralateral hip and use of a smooth pin construct to prevent premature closure of the growth plate in children with significant growth remaining.