Femoral Shortening in Total Hip Arthroplasty for High Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Background When reconstructing a hip with developmental dysplasia with a high dislocation, placing the acetabular component in the anatomic position can result in a prosthetic hip that is difficult to reduce. Subtrochanteric femoral osteotomy and shortening makes reduction easier but can be associated with complications (eg, limp, sciatic nerve injury, nonunion of the osteotomy) or compromise long-term stem survival.

Questions/purposes We therefore evaluated (1) the short-term complication rate, (2) functional scores, and (3) survivorship of prostheses in patients with high developmental dysplasia of the hip reconstructed with femoral shortening.

Patients and Methods We prospectively followed 46 patients (65 hips) operated on from 1990 to 2000. There were 34 females and 12 males with a mean age of 48 years (range, 16-79 years). Before surgery, all patients had a positive Trendelenburg test. The minimum followup was 8 years (mean, 13 years; range, 8-18 years).

Results One patient experienced recurrent dislocation and two peroneal nerve palsies, one of which partially recovered and one of which was permanent. In one patient, the stem subsided and after 8 months was replaced by a larger stem that stabilized. One patient had a nonunion but was functioning well and did not have additional surgery. At followup, 12 of the 65 hips (18%) had a positive Trendelenburg test. The mean muscle strength of the abductors was 4 (range, 3-5). The mean Harris hip score was 87 (range, 59-100) and the mean visual analog scale pain score 81 (range, 35-100). At followup, all stems were well fixed with no obvious signs of radiographic loosening. Ten cups were revised because of aseptic loosening.

Conclusions Our data suggest femoral osteotomy and shortening at the subtrochanteric level predictably allows a stable reduction in patients with high developmental dysplasia of the hip and does not lead to any reduction in long-term survival.

Level of Evidence Level II, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.