Chondrolysis of the hip after transfer of the greater trochanter

Transfer of the greater trochanter is a surgical technique that is used for overgrowth of the greater trochanter arising from disturbance of the growth plate of the proximal femur. Few complications have been described, and to our knowledge, necrosis of the cartilage has not been reported. Herein we describe four cases of chondrolysis in three patients who underwent this surgical procedure. In our view, immobilization with plaster associated with the increased pressure produced by the descent of the gluteal attachment may have contributed to the development of chondrolysis.