Valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy for coxa vara of Bucholz-Ogden Types II and III in patients older than 30 years.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic necrosis of the proximal femur resulting in coxa vara is a severe iatrogenous complication of the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Severe relative overgrowth of the greater trochanter and reduction of the neck result in insufficiency of hip abductors. Unequal limb length causes obliquity of the pelvis, compensatory scoliosis of the lumbar spine and valgus deformity of the ipsilateral knee. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy in patients with coxa vara older than 30 years.

METHODS: Fifteen female patients of the average age 43 years (range 31-60) with postdysplastic varus deformity of the proximal femur and shortening of affected limb of 2-4 cm were treated with valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy. None of them was operated on before. In eight cases, the varus deformity of the proximal femur was evaluated as Bucholz-Ogden Type II, in seven cases as Bucholz-Ogden Type III. The average follow-up was 10 years (range 5-20).

RESULTS: By the time of the last functional follow-up, three patients had already underwent conversion of osteotomy to total hip arthroplasty (THA), namely, 7.5, 11, and 12 years after osteotomy. All the patients evaluated the effect of osteotomy positively, including those treated later with THA. The average preoperative Harris Hip Score was 83, the postoperative one was 93.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on results, the valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy appears to be a reliable treatment for postdysplastic coxa vara in patients older than 30 years.