Greater trochanter osteotomy with cementless THA for Crowe type IV DDH

This study explored the surgical method and short-term clinical effect of a greater trochanter osteotomy along with cementless artificial total hip arthroplasty in the treatment of Crowe type IV developmental dysplasia of the hip. The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 18 patients (22 hips) with Crowe type IV dysplasia who were seen between June 2008 and August 2010. After undergoing cementless artificial total hip arthroplasty using a posterolateral approach, a greater trochanter osteotomy was used to adjust the tension of the gluteal muscle, and an acetabular cup was placed. Average preoperative length shortening of the affected limb was 4.5 cm (range, 3.4-6 cm), and average postoperative length increase was 4.0 cm (range, 3.2-4.8 cm). Average postoperative Harris Hip Score was 87 (range, 79-91), which was higher than the average preoperative score of 38 (range, 32-51). Intraoperatively, 3 hips (3 patients) sustained a proximal femur fracture. Due to the stability of the femoral prosthesis, either no treatment or wire fixation only was given; by 2 months postoperatively, radiographs indicated that all fractures had healed. One patient had symptoms of sciatic nerve paralysis that resolved 3 months postoperatively. Performing a greater trochanter osteotomy after cementless artificial total hip arthroplasty is effective for the treatment of Crowe type IV dysplasia and can rebuild the complex biology and biomechanics of hip dysplasia without increasing the complication risk.