Salter osteotomy in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease

Femoral head containment in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) can be either surgical or nonsurgical. The Salter or innominate osteotomy is a common method of surgical containment. This is a review of the technique and results of this osteotomy in LCPD.

The operative technique is relatively simple but requires considerable experience to perform correctly. It can be used alone or in combination with a proximal femoral varus osteotomy. The indications for a Salter osteotomy are essentially the same as in any form of containment treatment in LCPD. This includes: age at clinical onset of 6 to 10 years (perhaps, 5 y in female), more than one-half capital femoral epiphyseal involvement (Catterall groups III or IV, Salter-Thompson group B, and lateral pillar groups B, B/C, and C), and a good range of hip motion before surgery. The osteotomy alone is usually indicated for younger children with recent clinical onset and no femoral head deformity or subluxation. The combined procedure is better suited for older children and those with subluxation or a deformed femoral head.

Currently, the results of treatment are best determined at skeletal maturity using the Stulberg et al classification. When used alone, approximately 90% to 95% of the involved hips will have achieved a Stulberg et al class I, II, or III result. When combined with a proximal femoral varus osteotomy, the results are somewhat less because of the older age at onset and/or the presence of a deformed hip.

The Salter osteotomy in LCPD is an effective method of surgical treatment that can alter the natural history of the disease process. The main advantage of this osteotomy is its effect on femoral head remodeling during remaining growth.