[Intertrochanteric flexion osteotomy for severe osteoarthritis of the hip (author's transl)]

Eighty three cases of intertrochanteric flexion osteotomy of the hip for severe osteoarthritis are reported with a five year follow up. Osteotomy is performed in the sagittal plane with flexion of the proximal fragment. The anatomical, biomechanical and operative criteria for this procedure are discussed. The indications are based on a precise radiographic survey of hip congruity in flexion. The majority of the patients had severe osteoarthritis of the hip. Radiographs in abduction or adduction showed no improvement in congruity indicating that there would have been no benefit from a Pauwels type of frontal osteotomy. Results after five years are presented. Seventy-five per cent are good, 10% fair, and 15% are failures. Forty-five patients have a long term follow up of more than ten years which allows analysis of the evolution of this osteotomy.