Treatment of the sequelae of primary pathology of the hip by correction osteotomy and femoral lengthening using a combined external fixator

It is not an exceptional event to observe the sequelae of primary pathology of the hip in young patients that, as such, are not of the ideal age for replacement surgery. Moreover, one must not overlook the difficulties involved in replacement surgery for the treatment of inveterate modifications in the normal hip anatomy. Often, among the sequelae of primary pathology of the hip, deformities of the lower limb must also be included, associated or consequent, which also need treatment. For these reasons, the authors, in three selected cases, used a combined external fixator (circular and lateral) by means of which they were at the same time able to correct the axial deformity (with a support osteotomy), and the residual hypometria (with femoral lengthening). Osteotomy plus lengthening, using an external fixator, avoid hypometria of the limb and deformity in valgus of the knee, and allow for results which would otherwise not be obtained with replacement surgery alone.