Efficacy of periacetabular osteotomy followed by progressive resistance training compared to progressive resistance training as non-surgical treatment in patients with hip dysplasia (PreserveHip) - a protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is an established treatment for adolescent and adult patients with hip dysplasia. However, the efficacy of PAO has not been tested against another surgical intervention or conservative treatment in a randomised controlled trial before. We suggest that progressive resistance training (PRT) could be an alternative to PAO. The primary aim of this trial is therefore to examine the efficacy of PAO followed by 4 months of usual care followed by 8 months of PRT compared to 12 months of solely PRT in patients with hip dysplasia eligible for PAO in terms of patient-reported pain measured by The Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This trial is a single-blinded multicentre randomised controlled clinical trial, where patients with hip dysplasia, who are eligible for PAO, will be randomised to either PAO followed by usual care and PRT or PRT only. Primary outcome is patient-reported pain, measured on the subscale pain on the HAGOS questionnaire 12 months after initiation of PAO or PRT. The key secondary outcomes are the other subscales of the HAGOS, adverse and serious adverse events, usage of painkillers (yes/no) and type of analgesics. Based on the sample size calculation, the trial needs to include 96 patients. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The trial is approved by the Central Denmark Region Committee on Biomedical Research Ethics (Journal No 1-10-72-234-18) and by the Danish Data Protection Agency (Journal No 1-16-02-120-19). The trial is also approved by The Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics, Region South-East Norway (Ref. 2018/1603). All results from this trial will be published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals regardless of whether the results are positive, negative or inconclusive. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03941171.

Activity Level Maintenance at Midterm Follow-up Among Active Patients Undergoing Periacetabular Osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: For active patients undergoing periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), returning to and maintaining a high level of activity postoperatively is a priority. PURPOSE: To evaluate the maintenance of activity levels at midterm follow-up in active patients treated with PAO for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Patients who underwent PAO for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia between June 2006 and August 2013 were identified by a retrospective review of our prospective longitudinal institutional Hip Preservation Database. All patients with a preoperative University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score of ≥7 and a potential minimum 5 years of follow-up were included in the study. Functional outcome measures were the UCLA score, modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). The maintenance of high activity levels was defined as a UCLA score of ≥7 at final follow-up. Radiographic parameters were measured. Statistical significance was defined as a P value <.05. RESULTS: A total of 66 hips (58 patients) were included. The mean age was 25.3 years (range, 14-47 years), the mean body mass index was 23.9 kg/m2 (range, 19-32 kg/m2), and 72% were female. The mean follow-up was 6.8 years (range, 5-11 years). There were 67% of patients who maintained a UCLA score of ≥7. Patient-reported outcomes improved postoperatively from preoperatively for the mHHS (88 ± 14 vs 67 ± 17, respectively; P < .001) and WOMAC (89 ± 15 vs 73 ± 20, respectively; P < .001). The lateral center-edge angle, anterior center-edge angle, and acetabular inclination were significantly improved at final follow-up (P < .001). Only 4 patients (7%) cited postoperative activity limitations as being caused by hip pain. There were no conversions to total hip arthroplasty. CONCLUSION: The majority (67%) of active patients returned to preoperative or higher activity levels after PAO at midterm follow-up.

Open reduction capsular arthroplasty using a modified Codivilla-Hey Groves-Colonna procedure augmented with tensor fascia lata graft, supported by Ilizarov hinged external fixator in a patient with chronic traumatic posterior hip dislocation.

Untreated traumatic hip dislocation is a rare condition in children. Capsular arthroplasty is a previously abandoned surgical technique in dealing with developmental dysplasia of the hips but not described in traumatic dislocations. We present a 2-year follow-up of a 7-year-old boy who sustained chronic traumatic posterior hip dislocation treated as a first case in published literature combining a modified version of the Codivilla-Hey Groves-Colonna procedure, using tensor fascia lata graft and application of a hinged Ilizarov frame. The patient is currently independent on all activities of daily living.

Varying but reduced use of postoperative mobilization restrictions after primary total hip arthroplasty in Nordic countries: a questionnaire-based study.

Background and purpose - Mobilization has traditionally been restricted following total hip arthroplasty (THA) in an attempt to reduce the risk of dislocation and muscle detachment. However, recent studies have questioned the effect and rationale underlying such restrictions. We investigated the use of postoperative restrictions and possible differences in mobilization protocols following primary THA in Denmark (DK), Finland (FIN), Norway (NO), and Sweden (SWE). Patients and methods - All hospitals performing primary THA in the participating countries were identified from the latest national THA registry report. A questionnaire containing questions regarding standard surgical procedure, use of restrictions, and postoperative mobilization protocol was distributed to all hospitals through national representatives for each arthroplasty registry. Results - 83% to 94% (n = 167) of the 199 hospitals performing THA in DK, FIN, NO, and SWE returned correctly filled out questionnaires. A posterolateral approach was used by 77% of the hospitals. 92% of the hospitals had a standardized mobilization protocol. 50%, 41%, 19%, and 38% of the hospitals in DK, FIN, NO, and SWE, respectively, did not have any postoperative restrictions. If utilized, restrictions were applied for a median of 6 weeks. Two-thirds of all hospitals have changed their mobilization protocol within the last 5 years-all but 2 to a less restrictive protocol. Interpretation - Use of postoperative restrictions following primary THA differs between the Nordic countries, with 19% to 50% allowing mobilization without any restrictions. There has been a strong tendency towards less restrictive mobilization over the last 5 years.

Are Seating Systems With a Medial Knee Support Really Helpful for Hip Displacement in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy GMFCS IV and V?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether medial knee support (MKS) in seating systems aggravates hip displacement in children with cerebral palsy (CP). DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Rehabilitation department of tertiary university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Children with CP (N=76) using seating systems (intervention group, n=42; mean age 6.86y) and using regular wheelchairs (control group, n=34; mean age 8.15y). INTERVENTIONS: The intervention group was provided with a seating system with MKS. We enrolled children who did not use a seating system in the control group, retrospectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: By radiographic images, Reimer's migration index (MI), lateral center edge angle (CEA), and femur neck shaft angle (NSA) were measured. We compared the demographic data, clinical variables, and radiographs between the 2 groups. RESULTS: In the intervention group, there was a significant deterioration in the MI, from 26.89% to 44.18% after using the system (P<.001). The progression of MI was 14.72% and 7.82% per year in the intervention and control groups, respectively (P=.016). CONCLUSION: We should consider the possibility that seating systems with MKS may exacerbate hip displacement in children with CP.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Hip Pain in Adolescent Patients With Borderline Dysplasia of the Hip: Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: To examine arthroscopic treatment of hip pain in patients with borderline hip dysplasia (lateral center edge angle [LCEA] between 20° and 25°). METHODS: From 2008 to 2013, patients below 18 years of age who underwent arthroscopic hip surgery with an LCEA between 20° and 25° were retrospectively matched 1:1 to a control group without dysplasia (LCEA ≥25°) based on age, gender, femoroplasty, labral treatment, and capsular plication. Indications for surgery included failure to improve with nonoperative treatments and anti-inflammatory medications after 3 months. Patient-reported outcome data were collected using modified Harris hip score, hip outcome score-activities of daily living subscale, hip outcome score-sports-specific subscale, nonarthritic athletic hip score, and visual analog scale. RESULTS: From 2008 to 2013, 168 patients below the age of 18 underwent arthroscopic hip surgery. Twenty-one patients met inclusion criteria and were matched 1:1 to a control group. Follow-up was achieved for 17 patients in both groups (81%). Mean follow-up time, age, and LCEA were 2.19 years, 15.5 years, and 22.3° for the dysplastic group and 2.16 years, 16.0 years, and 31.2° for the control group, respectively. Preoperative patient-reported outcomes between groups were not statistically different. At the latest follow-up, both groups showed statistically significant improvement over baseline in modified Harris hip score, hip outcome score-activities of daily living subscale, hip outcome score-sports-specific subscale, nonarthritic athletic hip score, and visual analog scale (P < .001). Latest follow-up scores were not statistically different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows favorable 2-year outcomes in adolescent patients with borderline dysplasia undergoing labral treatment and capsular plication. Outcomes in the borderline dysplastic patients were as good as those of a control group. Although adolescents with borderline dysplasia have traditionally been a challenging group of patients to treat, these results suggest that an arthroscopic approach that addresses both labral pathology and instability may be beneficial. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Can we prevent hip dislocation in children with cerebral palsy? Effects of postural management.

BACKGROUND: Hip dislocation is common in children with cerebral palsy (CP). At birth they do not have musculoskeletal deformities but they develop over time due to the combined effects of the movement disorder and impaired gross motor function. Early detection and treatment of a hip at risk is needed to modify the natural of hip development in CP. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of postural management treatment on hip displacement's progression in children CP. DESIGN: Prospective comparative non-randomized study. SETTING: Rehabilitative outpatient unit. POPULATION: Fifty-one children with CP were studied; the treated group (N.=30) was compared to a control group (N.=21). METHODS: The treated group followed a two year's long combined treatment program consisting a neurodevelopment treatment (NDT) two times a week and a 5 hours daily siège moulé postural program. The control group underwent only NDT twice a week for two years. Hip radiographs were measured with the migration percentage (MP) method at baseline, at 1 and 2 years of follow-up. RESULTS: A significant difference has been observed in the MP (%) trend (P<0.001) between treatment and control groups. At 2 years, there was a marked worsening (MP from 23.0 to 37.7) in the control group, compared to the stability (from 28.8 to 26.8) in the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the evidence that conservative postural management of hip deformity is useful to prevent the natural progression of hip dislocation. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Hip radiographic follow up program together with NDT and postural management program is useful to modify the natural progression of hip dislocation in children with CP.

The effects of caudal mobilisation with movement (MWM) and caudal self-mobilisation with movement (SMWM) in relation to restricted internal rotation in the hip: A randomised control pilot study.

BACKGROUND: A loss of internal rotation (IR) of the hip is associated with hip pathology. Improving IR may improve hip range of motion (ROM) or prevent hip pathology. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects of caudal mobilisation with movement (MWM) and caudal self-mobilisation with movement (SMWM) on young healthy male subjects with reduced IR of the hip. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial was performed. Twenty-Two subjects were randomised into a MWM group (n = 6), SMWM group (n = 8) or a control group (n = 8). METHOD: The primary outcome measures included the functional internal rotation test (FIRT) for the hip and the passive seated internal rotation test (SIRT) for the hip. Outcomes were captured at baseline and immediately after one treatment of MWMs, SMWMs or control. RESULTS: A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), group × time interaction was conducted. The ANOVA revealed the only significant improvement was in the MWM group for the FIRT (p = 0.01), over the control group. Subjects with reduced IR of the hip who receive a single session of MWMs exhibited significantly improved functional IR of their hip than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: From the data presented, it can be suggested that caudal MWMs of the hip appear to have a positive effect on functional IR of healthy young hips. This may be due to addressing the positional fault theory or the arthrogenic muscular inhibition theory. SMWMs may be effective in augmenting treatments for patients waiting for hip operations.

Postural correction reduces hip pain in adult with acetabular dysplasia: A case report.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip is often diagnosed in infancy, but less severe cases of acetabular dysplasia are being detected in young active adults. The purpose of this case report is to present a non-surgical intervention for a 31-year-old female with mild acetabular dysplasia and an anterior acetabular labral tear. The patient presented with right anterior hip and groin pain, and she stood with the trunk swayed posterior to the pelvis (swayback posture). The hip pain was reproduced with the anterior impingement test. During gait, the patient maintained the swayback posture and reported 6/10 hip pain. Following correction of the patient's posture, the patient's pain rating was reduced to a 2/10 while walking. The patient was instructed to maintain the improved posture. At the 1 year follow-up, she demonstrated significantly improved posture in standing and walking. She had returned to recreational running and was generally pain-free. The patient demonstrated improvement on self-reported questionnaires for pain, function, and activity. These findings suggest that alteration of posture can have an immediate and lasting effect on hip pain in persons with structural abnormality and labral pathology.

Preservation of the rectus femoris origin during periacetabular osteotomy does not compromise acetabular reorientation.

BACKGROUND: The early recovery period after periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) can be limited by pain and activity restrictions. Modifications of the Bernese PAO, including sparing the rectus tendon and discontinuing routine arthrotomy, may accelerate early postoperative recovery compared with the standard approach. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: Does a modified approach for PAO (1) lead to improved pain control immediately after surgery; (2) lead to improved ambulation during the hospital stay; (3) lead to shorter stays, less blood loss, and shorter surgical times; and (4) compromise acetabular correction? METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all 75 patients who underwent PAO for developmental dysplasia of the hip between August 2009 and May 2013. The control group included 44 consecutive patients who underwent a standard Bernese PAO with rectus takedown (RT). The study group consisted of 31 consecutive patients who underwent PAO using a modified rectus-sparing (RS) approach without routine arthrotomy. The groups were similar in age, body mass index, and American Society of Anesthesiologists score, but the RT group was comprised of a greater percentage of men than the RS group. Outcome variables were collected from patient charts and included inpatient pain, inpatient ambulation as well as length of stay, estimated blood loss, surgical time, and postoperative radiographic measurements. Cohen's f(2) was used to calculate the effect size in the regression analysis and effects were considered small for values<0.15, moderate for 0.15 to 0.34, and large for values>0.35. RESULTS: Patients who underwent PAO with a RS approach had less overall pain (RT median 4 versus RS median 2); however, the difference may not have been perceptible to the typical patient (p=0.001, f2=0.059). Patients treated with the RS approach ambulated similar distances during the hospital stay with a median 11 feet (interquartile range [IQR], 0-72.5) for the RT group and a median 30 feet (IQR, 0-100) for the RS group (p=0.215, f2=0.095). Patients in the RT group had a median length of stay of 4 days (IQR, 4-5) compared with a median 3 days (IQR, 3-4) in the RS group (p<0.001). The median estimated blood loss was greater (p=0.010) in the RT group (median, 500 mL; IQR, 350-700) versus the RS group (median, 300; IQR, 250-500). The median surgical time was longer (p<0.001) in patients undergoing PAO with the RT approach (median, 159.5 minutes; IQR, 145.5-177) compared with the RS approach (median, 103 minutes; IQR, 75-114). Acetabular reorientation based on postoperative radiographs was not compromised by the modified approach. CONCLUSIONS: The approach modification was straightforward to implement in all patients and did not compromise acetabular fragment mobilization or final positioning. Two of the three key variables that the approach might have influenced-pain and length of stay-were below the minimum clinically important difference and different by only a fraction of a day, respectively. The difference in ambulation was of only modest clinical importance. More definitive evidence for clinical superiority in terms of pain, ambulation, and return of muscle function will likely require more sophisticated instruments such as gait analysis, muscle strength testing, and longer-term outcome studies with sensitive instruments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Early weight-bearing after periacetabular osteotomy leads to a high incidence of postoperative pelvic fractures.

BACKGROUND: It has not been shown whether accelerated rehabilitation following periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is effective for early recovery. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare complication rates in patients with standard and accelerated rehabilitation protocols who underwent PAO. METHODS: Between January 2002 and August 2011, patients with a lateral center-edge (CE) angle of < 20°, showing good joint congruency with the hip in abduction, pre- or early stage of osteoarthritis, and age younger than 60 years were included in this study. We evaluated 156 hips in 138 patients, with a mean age at the time of surgery of 30 years. Full weight-bearing with two crutches started 2 months postoperatively in 73 patients (80 hips) with the standard rehabilitation protocol. In 65 patients (76 hips) with the accelerated rehabilitation protocol, postoperative strengthening of the hip, thigh and core musculature was begun on the day of surgery as tolerated. The exercise program included active hip range of motion, and gentle isometric hamstring and quadriceps muscle sets; these exercises were performed for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon with a physical therapist every weekday for 6 weeks. Full weight-bearing with two axillary crutches started on the day of surgery as tolerated. Complications were evaluated for 2 years. RESULTS: The clinical results at the time of follow-up were similar in the two groups. The average periods between the osteotomy and full-weight-bearing walking without support were 4.2 months and 6.9 months in patients with the accelerated and standard rehabilitation protocols (P < 0.001), indicating that the accelerated rehabilitation protocol could achieve earlier recovery of patients. However, postoperative fractures of the ischial ramus and posterior column of the pelvis were more frequently found in patients with the accelerated rehabilitation protocol (8/76) than in those with the standard rehabilitation protocol (1/80) (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: The accelerated rehabilitation protocol seems to have advantages for early muscle recovery in patients undergoing PAO; however, postoperative pelvic fracture rates were unacceptably high in patients with this protocol.

[Dislocation after total hip arthroplasty--the problem is still present, reasons and treatments]. / Zwichniecia protez stawu biodrowego--problem nadal aktualny, przyczyny i metody leczenia.

Dislocation after total hip replacement remains a significant problem in orthopedic practice. Despite the use of more modem implants risk of instability is estimated at a few percent for primary treatment and for several procedures. The standard procedure in case of the first dislocation is reduction of the prosthesis in general anesthesia. Further investigation is individual, each case must be thoroughly examined for proper execution of the original surgery and the risk of the next dislocation. Regardless of the subsequent procedures performed a key role in the event of instability prosthesis plays properly conducted rehabilitation and patient education.

Functional treatment of developmental hip dysplasia with the Tübingen hip flexion splint.

OBJECTIVE: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a deformity that may cause to serious disability. Early diagnosis and early treatment are very important. Our aim is to report the outcomes of infants with DDH who were treated with the Tübingen hip flexion splint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, 49 patients (45 female, four male; 60 hips) diagnosed with DDH were included in the study. For diagnosis, all patients underwent ultrasonography of the hip performed according to the Graf method. Infants whose hips were Graf type 2b or worse underwent orthotic treatment. Treatment success was defined as development into a mature hip (Graf type 1 on ultrasonography and no acetabular dysplasia apparent on the latest radiograph). RESULTS: Overall median age at the start of treatment was 18 weeks (14-25). Median total treatment time (from initial application of the splint to the end of weaning) was 17 weeks (14-20). Median duration of follow up was 13.5 months (8.5-31.5). Treatment was successful in 56/60 hips (93.3%). Of the 56 successfully treated patients, acetabular dysplasia was present early in follow up but later resolved in 4 patients. No complications were encountered in any patients in the study. CONCLUSION: The Tübingen splint provides abduction, but due to its different design it offers the advantages of preventing hip adduction and leaving the knee and ankle joints free. Our findings suggest that in infants with DDH, the Tübingen hip flexion splint is an effective form of treatment.

Characteristics of pain in children and youth with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVES: Pain in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is underrecognized, undertreated, and negatively affects quality of life. Communication challenges and multiple pain etiologies complicate diagnosis and treatment. The primary objectives of this study were to determine the impact of pain on activities and to identify the common physician-identified causes of pain in children and youth ages 3 to 19 years across all levels of severity of CP. METHODS: The study design was cross-sectional, whereby children/youth aged 3 to 19 years and their families were consecutively recruited. The primary caregivers were asked to complete a one-time questionnaire, including the Health Utilities Index 3 pain subset, about the presence and characteristics of pain. The treating physician was asked to identify the presence of pain and provide a clinical diagnosis for the pain, if applicable. RESULTS: The response rate was 92%. Of 252 participants, 54.8% reported some pain on the Health Utilities Index 3, with 24.4% of the caregivers reporting that their child experienced pain that affected some level of activities in the preceding 2 weeks. Physicians reported pain in 38.7% and identified hip dislocation/subluxation, dystonia, and constipation as the most frequent causes of pain. CONCLUSIONS: One-quarter of our sample experienced pain that limited activities and participation. Clinicians should be aware that hip subluxation/dislocation and dystonia were the most common causes of pain in children/youth with CP in this study. Potential causes of pain should be identified and addressed early to mitigate the negative impact of pain on quality of life.

Clinical and radiological outcome of combined femoral and Chiari osteotomies for subluxed or dislocated hips secondary to neuromuscular conditions: a minimum of 10-year follow-up.

We evaluated the medium-term results of combined Chiari pelvic and femoral osteotomies performed at the Manchester Children's Hospitals between the years 1985 and 1994. The indications for these osteotomies were either hip dislocation or subluxation in children with neuromuscular disease. We clinically and radiologically evaluated 20 hips in 18 patients treated for hip subluxation and dislocation with Chiari osteotomy. The average post-operative clinical follow-up period was 11.32 years (range 10.1-12.9). The mean age at the time of surgery was 7.3 years (range 3.1-13.2 years). Clinically, 9 hips had a 'Good' outcome, 10 were "Fair" and 1 was "Poor" according to Osterkamp criteria. At last follow-up, radiologically the mean Sharp's angle improved from 51° to 44° (p = 0.09), the mean Centre-Edge angle improved from -16° to 18° (p = 0.067), the mean Migration Index improved from 59 to 29 % (p = 0.011), the mean femoral neck-shaft angle from 160° to 117° (p < 0.0001) and the Severin criteria improved from an average grade of 4.5-2.9 (p < 0.0001). Our results compared to previous studies confirm that combined femoral and Chiari osteotomies provide a favourable outcome both clinically and radiologically at least 10 years following surgery. Accepting that the numbers are small, we report no statistical difference in the mean age at the time of operation when comparing the children with an eventual 'good' outcome and those with an eventual 'fair' or 'poor' outcome.

[Reduction of unstable and dislocated hips applying the Tübingen hip flexion splint?]. / Die Tübinger Hüftbeugeschiene als Repositionsorthese?

BACKGROUND: The indication for the use of the Tübingen hip flexion splint is a dysplastic hip without instability. According to current knowledge dysplastic unstable or dislocated hips should be treated with a stable retention device such as a modified Fettweis cast. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment effect of the Tübingen hip flexion splint when applied to dysplastic unstable hips (type IIc unstable according to the classification of Graf) and dislocated hips (types D, III and IV according to the classification of Graf) within the first week of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All newborns with an unstable hip type IIc or worse detected by ultrasound in the first week of life were treated with a Tübingen hip flexion splint. A prospective cohort trial was performed between November 2007 and December 2010. The initial hip type according to the ultrasound classification of Graf, the start and the duration of treatment with the Tübingen hip flexion splint as well as the rate of success were evaluated. Due to the small number of patients non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 50 dysplastic unstable or dislocated hips in 42 newborns were treated with the Tübingen hip flexion splint. The distribution of pathological hip types was 6 type IIc unstable, 33 type D, 10 type III and 1 type IV. Therapy was started on average on day 3.5 (range 1-8 days) of life and 49 out of 50 hips were successfully treated with the Tübingen hip flexion splint. Solely the type IV hip could not be reduced in the Tübingen hip flexion splint. Thus 98% of the dysplastic unstable or dislocated hips were successfully converted into type I hips with an α-angle of more than 64° in the splint. The mean time for achieving an α-angle ≥ 64° was 51.6 ± 18.9 days (range 21-87 days). No statistically significant relationship was found between the duration of therapy and the time when treatment was started, early or late within the first week of life (p = 0.152). Furthermore, no correlation was detected between the duration of therapy and the initial hip type determined by ultrasound (p = 0.886). In all successfully treated cases therapy could be discontinued during the exponential part of Tschauner's maturation curve of hip development. CONCLUSION: When recognized within the first week of life dysplastic unstable hips (type IIc unstable according to the classification of Graf) and dislocated hips with a cranially dislocated cartilage roof (types D and III according to the classification of Graf) can be successfully treated with the Tübingen hip flexion splint provided that the parents show good compliance concerning the treatment regimen.

Fractures of the acetabulum in elderly patients: an update.

The incidence of acetabular fractures in elderly patients is increasing. Poor bone quality and concomitant diseases are the main features of these patients. Fracture patterns are marked by a high degree of variability in terms of patient and fracture characteristics. Preoperative planning with plain radiographs and computed tomography, including 3-dimensional reconstructions, is recommended. Treatment remains challenging because of precarious general health, severe osteopenia, comminution, and associated femoral head damage. Treatment options available include closed management, open reduction with internal fixation, percutaneous fixation in situ, and acute or staged total hip arthroplasty (THA) whether alone or combined with osteosynthesis. In the case of significant destruction of the articular cartilage, primary THA may provide the best solution. Whichever surgical method is chosen, the objective is rapid mobilisation of the patient on a walker or crutches. Late local complications that may occur after nonoperative or operative treatment include posttraumatic arthritis, nonunion, malunion, wound infection, dislocation, intrusive hardware, nerve palsy, and heterotopic bone formation. In this article an overview of the current trends in the management of acetabulum fractures in the elderly is presented.

Dislocation rate after hip arthroplasty within the first postoperative year: 36 mm versus 28 mm femoral heads.

Dislocation is a common and important complication of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Larger femoral heads may reduce the risk of dislocation and improve the range of movement. The aim of this study was to compare the relative risk (RR) of dislocation during the first year after THA between implants with 28 mm and 36 mm femoral heads. 198 consecutive hips with 28 mm femoral head (Group-28) and 259 hips with 36 mm femoral head (Group-36) were studied. The patients were assessed preoperatively and periodically using the Harris hip score (HHS) and radiographic analysis. The relative risk (RR) of dislocation was calculated. The average HHS significantly improved from a preoperative baseline to the last follow-up at 82.1 months (28 mm) and 44.3 months (36 mm). No statistically significant differences were revealed between the two groups for HHS results and complications (p>0.05), but the difference in RR of dislocation within the first year between the two groups was 7.85 (95% CI: 1.34-46.03), p=0.046.Although dislocation is multifactorial in etiology, the two groups were homogenous for all principal contributing factors except the diameter of the femoral head. Therefore, the use of 36-mm heads can reduce the risk of dislocation following THA by a factor of 8 compared to conventional 28 mm heads.

Operative versus nonoperative management of Pipkin type-II fractures associated with posterior hip dislocation.

Little has been written on randomized, controlled studies of operative versus nonoperative management of Pipkin type-II fractures associated with posterior dislocation of the hip. It is difficult to validate the optimal management of these fractures. The goals of this study were to (1) evaluate the results of conservative and surgical treatment for Pipkin type-II fractures associated with posterior dislocation of the hip and supply the optimal management for these fractures and (2) identify whether the Smith-Petersen approach is a safe and reliable surgical approach for Pipkin type-II fractures.Twenty-four patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: the conservative group (n=12) was treated by closed reduction, and the surgical group (n=12) was treated by primary open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) by bioabsorbable screws via a Smith-Petersen approach. Minimum follow-up was 24 months. Functional outcome was measured using the Thompson and Epstein score and the d'Aubigné-Postel score. Heterotopic ossification was classified based on the Brooker classification. The outcome of the conservative group was worse than that of the surgical group (P=.037). Two patients in the conservative group needed joint replacement for avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Heterotopic ossification was found in 6 patients (1 patient in the conservative group and 5 in the surgical group).Primary ORIF by bioabsorbable screws via a Smith-Petersen approach is an effective treatment for Pipkin type-II fractures associated with posterior dislocation.