The femoral neck lengthening osteotomy

Surgical Principles Premature closure of the epiphyseal plate can be a complication of hip dysplasia, Perthes disease, trauma or septic arthritis of the hip. As a result, the proximal femur may show a typical deformity with shortening of the neck of the femur and relative overgrowth of the greater trochanter. The femoral neck lengthening osteotomy aims at restoring the normal anatomy with restitution of the length of the femoral neck and leg length, and improving the lever arm of the abductors. The procedure includes three osteotomies parallel to the blade of a 130° or 120° blade plate. Lateralization of the shaft effectively lengthens the femoral neck. A part of the overgrown greater trochanter is used to fill the gap proximally to the lateralized shaft. The remaining trochanter is pulled distally and fixed to the femur. Revised Version from: Operat. Orthop. Traumatol. 1 (1989), 170–178 (German Edition).