Abstract
Introduction and Aims: Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and slipped capital femoral epiphysis are hip disorders that may result in the alteration of proximal femoral anatomy and subsequent osteoarthritis. LCP often results in a flattened head and short femoral neck; SCFE residual deformity is a retroverted head upon a wide femoral neck. Because of the low head to neck ratio and short neck length in these patients, surface arthroplasty is especially technically difficult.
Method: We examined a cohort of patients with either LCP or SCFE who underwent surface replacement of the hip to assess clinical results and identify pre-operative radiographic factors unique to this group. All patients with arthritis of the hip secondary to either LCP or SCFE, who underwent surface replacement between 1996–2002, were included. Proximal femoral anatomy was assessed by measuring the neck and head length, flattening of the head, anterior head offset and lateral head offset. Hip ROM was measured and SF-12 and UCLA Hip scores were calculated.
Results: Fourteen patients with LCP and 11 patients with SCFE had undergone surface replacement with an average age of 38 years; the mean time to follow-up was 26.2 months. Pre-operative radiographs revealed a head-neck ratio of 1.3 in the LCP group and 1.2 in the SCFE group. The amount of head offset was 9.4mm anterior and 6.4mm lateral in the LCP group; and 8.8mm and 4.4mm in the SCFE group. Neck and head length was 42mm in the LCP patients and 56.5mm in the SCFE patients; this measured 46 and 53mm post-operatively. No revisions had been performed in either group. The UCLA scores, SF-12 scores, and hip ROM did not differ from a cohort of patients who had undergone resurfacing for other reasons. No femoral neck fractures occurred in either group.
Conclusion: Despite technically difficult surgeries for hip resurfacing in these patients because of a flattened head and short neck in LCP, and wide femoral neck with retroverted heads in SCFE, the results to date have been good. By taking extra care to avoid notching the neck on the anterior and lateral tension sides, satisfactory results can be achieved.
These abstracts were prepared by Editorial Secretary, George Sikorski. Correspondence should be addressed to Australian Orthopaedic Association, Ground Floor, The William Bland Centre, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
At least one of the authors is receiving or has received material benefits or support from a commercial source.
