The value of trochanteric displacement in a varus producing intertrochanteric osteotomy

Surgical Principles In order to maintain or increase the abductor lever arm during a varus producing intertrochanteric osteotomy, distal displacement of the greater trochanter is often needed. Without displacing the trochanter, a significant weakness of the abductors would occur [4, 5]. With greater trochanter osteotomy, access to the hip joint is improved, permitting better visualization of the upper part of the femoral head and the roof of the acetabulum (ie, for a simultaneous shelf procedure). When a flexion component is added to the osteotomy, the trochanteric osteotomy increases the range of correction in the sagittal plane and reduces mechanical pressure on the anterosuperior surface of the femoral head [3]. The aim of an isolated greater trochanteric osteotomy is to advance distally and to lateralize the abductors. To achieve fixation, the preserved soft tissue layer, screws, or a tension wire cerclage are used [4–6, 10]. The indication of a trochanteric osteotomy combined with an intertrochanteric osteotomy has increased [1, 4, 10, 11]. The technique described in detail below is part of a varus osteotomy performed as previously described by M. E. Müller [7, 8, 10] and relies on the use of AO osteotomy plates [9]. Revised Version from: Operat. Orthop. Traumatol. 1 (1989), 211–218 (German Edition).