Capsular arthroplasty for neglected developmental dysplasia of hip

Treatment of developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH) diagnosed after 10 years of age is extremely difficult because of the soft tissue and bone deformities. In this study, we evaluated short-term results of a single-stage procedure performed with surgical hip dislocation, femoral shortening and capsular arthroplasty.

A retrospective review of charts of five patients with DDH, older than 10 years, who underwent capsular arthroplasty at Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital between 2013 and 2015 was performed. Post-operative functional evaluation was performed using modified McKay's scoring system and radiographic assessment using Severin's scoring method at a minimum of 2-year follow-up.

We present results of five patients (six hips) with a mean age of 18.16 years. All patients had limping gait and International Hip dysplasia Institute classification (IHDI) class 4 hip dislocation. Harris hip score showed a significant improvement (53.13 vs 84.16; p = 0.0001). Femoral shortening of 2-2.5 cm was done. Additional shelf procedure was required in one patient. This patient persistently has post-operative hip subluxation. All patients had good to excellent outcomes according to McKay classification. Post-operative Severin classification was 1A in all patients. No case of avascular necrosis of the femoral head was noted during the follow-up.

Capsular arthroplasty with subtrochanteric shortening is a useful procedure for neglected cases of DDH in patients older than 10 years.