[Coxa vara. Isolated growth of the greater trochanter. Prevention-treatment]

Prevention of avascular complications is a primary aim. The ischemic insult to the femoral head provokes different types of morphologic deformities depending on its location. When the lateral part of the growth plate is affected, the head will be in valgus with a short neck, on the contrary, when the medial part is affected, a coxa vara occurs. The sooner the growth is stopped, the shorter the neck will be. Nevertheless, the greater trochanter will continue its growth and under certain conditions, will extend beyond the head. The Articulo-Trochanteric Distance is a measurement of the deformity which may be checked regularly. Early recognition permits prevention and adequate treatment. Treatment options include epiphysiodesis of the greater trochanter before the age of 8 to 10 years, trochanteric repositioning with osteotomy, and valgus osteotomy (Pauwels' Y-osteotomy).