Lower-limb intramedullary nailing in patients with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia who had a previous unsuccessful treatment. A report of 48 cases.

BACKGROUND: Intramedullary nailing (IN) seems to be the best primary surgical treatment for patients with either polyostotic fibrous dysplasia or McCune-Albright syndrome (PFD/MAS) when the femur and tibia are totally affected by fibrous dysplasia (FD) and pain, fracture and deformity are likely to occur. However, other management protocols have been applied in these cases, often leading to disabling sequelae. This study sought to evaluate if IN could also have been effective as a salvage procedure to provide patients with satisfactory results, regardless of the poor results due to the improper treatment previously performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four retrospectively registered PFD/MAS patients with 34 femurs and 14 tibias totally affected by fibrous dysplasia had received various treatments with unsatisfactory results in other institutions. Before the IN performed in our hospital, 3 patients were wheelchair bound; 4 were fractured; 17 limped; and many used an aid for walking. Salvage IN was performed in our hospital at a mean patient age of 23.66 ± 6.06 years (range, 15-37 years). The patients were evaluated before-except for the four fractured ones-and after IN using the validated Jung scoring system, and the data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The mean length of follow-up after IN was 9.12 ± 3.68 years (range, 4-17 years). The patients' mean Jung score significantly improved from 2.52 ± 1.74 points before IN to 6.78 ± 2.23 at follow-up (p < 0.05). Ambulation was improved in ambulatory patients and restored in wheelchair users. The complication rate was 21%. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the high rate of complications, IN may be considered a reliable surgical procedure to salvage a failed treatment in PFD/MAS, with long-lasting satisfactory results achieved in most patients. Trial registration statement: Not applicable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Heterotopic ossification around the lesser trochanter of the femur simulating a malignant lesion. A case report with long-term follow-up and revision of literature.

We report the case of a 28-year-old female who complained of groin pain and restricted range of motion of the hip for the previous two months. A plain radiograph, CT scan and MRI of the pelvis showed a bone mass of uncertain origin around the lesser trochanter, simulating malignancy. An open biopsy was performed to obtain a correct diagnosis. The histological examination excluded a malignant lesion. Two months later, the mass was surgically excised and at follow-up, 9 years after surgery, the patient was completely asymptomatic, without any radiographic sign of recurrence. This is a rare case of heterotopic ossification of the proximal part of the femur, that appeared without any significant trauma or other predisposing risk factors; because the lesion led us to suspect a malignant disease, an open biopsy was needed to make the diagnosis. From an accurate review of the literature, heterotopic ossifications mimicking a malignant lesion that appeared without any predisposing factors are extremely rare.

Infection rate of intramedullary nailing for treatment of lower limb polyostotic fibrous dysplasia.

Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (PFD) generally cause deformities and fractures of femur and tibia and surgery is often required. The current surgical treatment for deformities is based on single or multiple osteotomies followed by stabilization with intramedullary nails, which are commonly used also for fractures. One of the most common surgical complications of intramedullary nailing is represented by surgical site infection with possible extension to the whole skeletal segment. In the present study we evaluated the incidence of surgical site infections in 44 patients affected by PFD in which 91 femurs or tibiae underwent intramedullary nailing to treat deformities or fractures. We never observed any infection of the operated femurs or tibiae until the final follow-up. The only post surgical infection was present in a patient with monomelic involvement at the contralateral non affected limb, which was surgically treated for limb length inequality, by femur shortening osteotomy stabilized by an intramedullary nail. The most likely hypothesis to explain the complete absence of infections in these patients may be related to the high local concentration of prophylactic antibiotic in the highly vascularized fibrodysplastic bone.

Monitoring of C-reactive protein level (CRP) and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) after total hip and knee arthroplasty.

C-reactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are the two most commonly serum biomarkers for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI). We monitored CRP and ESR in 60 patients affected by osteoarthritis who underwent primary total hip or knee arthroplasty to verify their utility for an early diagnosis of periprosthetic hip and knee infections. In all but two patients, both CRP and ESR increased rapidly after surgery, reaching a peak value around the 3rd day postoperatively; CRP decreased rapidly in 20 days, reaching normal value one month after surgery, while ESR decreased slowly, reaching the normal value after three months. In two patients, CRP and ESR were still elevated six months after the surgical procedure and in both cases a diagnosis of PJI was made. Our study confirms that postoperative screening of CRP and ESR values are very useful in making an early diagnosis of this serious complication.

Orthopaedic aspects in seventy-two children affected by Marfan syndrome. Correlations between pathological features and fibrillin-1 gene mutations.

Marfan syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder of the connective tissue caused by mutations of the fibrillin-1 gene (FBN1) that primarly involves the cardiovascular, skeletal and ocular systems. We investigated 72 children affected by Marfan syndrome in order to identify possible correlations between some musculoskeletal features and specific mutations of fibrillin-1 gene. The following FBN-1 gene mutations have been observed: a missense mutation in 21 children, a stop mutation in 9, a splice mutation in 15 and other mutations in the remaining 27 patients. We observed a statistical significant association between chest asymmetry and splice mutation (p=0.031) and between scoliosis >20° or thoracolumbar kyphosis and stop mutation (p=0.039). However, we did not find a true genotype-phenotype correlation between the fibrillin-1 gene mutations observed and the prognosis of the disease. Future studies are necessary to demonstrate further genotype-phenotype correlations in order to identify early prognostic markers of Marfan syndrome and to plan the most appropriate clinical management accordingly.

Pubic osteolysis simulating a malignant lesion. A case report with long-term follow-up.

Pubic osteolysis is a rare pathology characterized by a painful radiographic destructive changes in the pubic rami, pubis or pubic symphysis that often follows a post-traumatic event. The etiology is unclear but it is a benign lesion, frequently misinterpreted as malignant. We report a case of a 54-year-old woman with pubic osteolysis mimicking a malignant lesion, diagnosed after open bone biopsy, conservatively treated without any sequelae and followed-up 10 years after the end of treatment. Although in the majority of the reported cases, a previous trauma has been commonly referred, in our case the patient did not refer to any cause before the onset of clinical symptoms. Knowledge of this entity is important to avoid invasive diagnostic procedures, costly investigations or overtreatment.

Developmental Dislocation of the Hip Successfully Treated by Preoperative Traction and Medial Open Reduction: A 22-year Mean Followup.

BACKGROUND: During the last 35 years, the medial approach has been reported more frequently than the anterior approach for open reduction of developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH), however, few studies have followed children treated by medial open reduction to adulthood. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purposes of our study were: (1) to assess the development of 71 completely dislocated hips after medial open reduction, the incidence of additional surgery and avascular necrosis during the followup period, and the long-term radiographic and functional results; and (2) to compare our results with those obtained by others who performed open reduction either by the medial or anterior approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated, after the end of growth, 71 hips in 52 patients who underwent open reduction by the medial approach. The mean age of the patients was 16 months (range, 3-36 months). After surgery, the hips were immobilized in 100° flexion, 60° abduction, and neutral rotation for an average of 6 months. All patients had staged clinical and radiographic followups until skeletal maturity. The length of followup averaged 22 years (range, 13-32 years). RESULTS: In all the surgically treated hips, the acetabular index normalized by the end of growth, the incidence of avascular necrosis was 18%, and additional surgery was required in 15% of our cases. At the last followup, 93% of the hips were classified as Severin Classes I or II and 7% as Class III; 76% of the hips had an excellent result, 17% had a good result, and 7% had a fair result according to the McKay scale as modified by Barrett and colleagues. CONCLUSIONS: Open reduction of DDH through a medial approach provided good long-term radiographic and functional results in patients 3 to 36 months old and it was the only surgery performed in 85% of our cases. Future comparative studies are needed to confirm our results, especially in older children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.

Vancouver B2 and B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures treated by ORIF. Mid to long-term follow-up study in 28 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFF) are a serious complication in patients who have undergone hip arthroplasty. Some authors consider revision arthroplasty as the gold standard in the surgical treatment of Vancouver type B2 and B3 PFF. Others, however, prefer treating PFF by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), without revising loose stems, especially in elderly patients. In the present retrospective study, we report mid/long-term results in a series of patients affected by B2 or B3 PFF surgically treated by ORIF, using a locking compression plate (LCP), thus avoiding the need of revision arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 28 patients affected by B2 or B3 PFF surgically treated between 2010 and 2017 by ORIF using a LCP, after an average follow-up of 5.5 years. The average age of the patients at diagnosis was 78 years; in 17 patients, the femoral stem was uncemented while in 11, cemented. The mean interval time between hip arthroplasty and PFF was 6.7 years. Clinical results were assessed using Harris Hip Score (HHS), while radiographic results according to Beals and Tower criteria. RESULTS: At follow-up, HHS ranged from 72 to 96 points; 8 patients had an excellent result, 12 got a good result and 8 a fair result. According to Beals and Tower criteria, all the radiographic results were excellent (9 patients) or good (19 patients). The majority of our patients returned to their previous ambulatory levels. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, in elderly patients affected by Vancouver type B2 or B3 PFF, surgical treatment by ORIF using a locking compression plate, without a stem revision, seems to be associated with satisfactory outcome.

The correlation between exaggerated fluid in lumbar facet joints and degenerative spondylolisthesis: prospective study of 52 patients.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often used to evaluate low back pain; however, MRI in the supine position does not always reveal degenerative spondylolisthesis. The existence of a linear correlation between increased fluid in the facet joints seen on the supine axial T2 MRI of the lumbosacral spine and lumbar instability seen on standing lateral flexion-extension lumbosacral radiographs has recently been reported. The objective of this prospective study was to determine the incidence of increased fluid in the lumbar facet joints seen on the supine axial T2 MRI, and to evaluate the correlation of this finding with radiographic evidence of lumbar instability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively analyzed weight-bearing flexion-extension lumbosacral radiographs and lumbosacral MRI in the supine position for 52 patients (mean age 64.7 years) seen at our institution for low back pain and/or radiculopathy. The statistical analysis was performed with Fisher's exact test. A difference was considered statistically significant if P < 0.05. RESULTS: In all but 5 of the 52 patients, degenerative disc disease and facet joint disease were observed on the supine MRI of the lumbosacral spine. Fifteen patients had exaggerated fluid in the lumbar facets on the axial T2 MRI (28.8%). Radiographic signs of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis were observed in 12 patients (23.1%), and the degenerative spondylolisthesis was not evident on the supine sagittal MRI in 10 of these 12 patients (83.3%). Among these 12 patients, the axial T2 MRI showed exaggerated fluid in the facet joints at the corresponding level in 8 patients (66%). Increased fluid in the lumbar facet joints was present on the supine axial T2 MRI in 7 patients (13.4%), even though there were no radiographic signs of corresponding lumbar instability. CONCLUSION: We observed a statistical correlation between increased fluid in the lumbar facet joints on the supine axial T2 MRI and degenerative spondylolisthesis seen on standing lateral flexion-extension lumbosacral radiographs.

Medial subtalar dislocation from a low-energy trauma. A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Subtalar dislocation is a rare injury characterized by a simultaneous dislocation of the talocalcaneal and talonavicular joints. The most common type is caused by high-energy trauma with medial dislocation of the foot. This injury is frequently associated with fractures, but isolated dislocations are also reported. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a rare case of medial subtalar dislocation secondary to low-energy injury in a 61-year-old woman. Following X-rays and CT scan, prompt closed reduction was performed under sedation and, after reduction, X-rays showed a good realignment of the foot. The CT scan revealed an occult non-displaced fracture of the posterior part of the talus. The patient was managed conservatively by a non-weight bearing cast for four weeks, followed by a rehabilitation program. At follow-up, six months later, we observed a good clinical and radiographic result. DISCUSSION: The reported case confirms that the mechanism of injury is an important factor in predicting the final result, since subtalar dislocations secondary to a high-energy trauma are often associated with significant complications. We believe, in agreement with other authors, that a low-energy trauma generally doesn't produce long-term morbidity. Prompt reduction is very important in order to minimize soft tissue and neurovascular complications, although a CT is recommended to identify occult fractures. CONCLUSION: Subtalar dislocations, caused by low energy trauma, if adequately reduced in the emergency room, generally heal with conservative treatment, reducing the risk of significant complications. However, since we report a single patient, further case analysis is needed to make solid conclusions.

Periprosthetic hip and knee infections: comparison of etiology, perioperative management and costs.

OBJECTIVE: We compared two series of patients treated at our Hospital for periprosthetic hip and knee infections (PHI; PKI), in order to evaluate etiology, perioperative management (duration of spacer, antibiotic therapy, quality of life during the treatment), length of hospital stay, and costs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included in the study 32 patients with PHI and 30 patients with PKI. The average age of the patients was 74.8 in PHI and 71.2 in PKI. Treatment consisted of a two-stage revision associated with antibiotic therapy. All patients were followed up for at least two years after surgery. We analyzed the causative microorganism responsible for the infection, duration of the spacer and antibiotic therapy, quality of life during this time, length of hospital stay, and total hospital cost of treatment. RESULTS: The gram-negative microorganisms were more common in PHI, without any statistically significant difference compared to PKI. Duration of the spacer for PHI was 7.4 months and 5.5 months for PKI (p=0.005). Length of antibiotic therapy was 6.2 months for PHI and 4.1 months for PKI (p<0.001). Most patients in the two series had an acceptable quality of life during treatment. The mean length of hospitalization was 54 days in PHI and 26 days in PKI (p<0.001). The cost averaged 38,300 euros for PHI and 22,100 euros for PKI (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed statistically significant differences between periprosthetic hip and knee infections as regards etiology, duration of treatment and global costs. Periprosthetic hip infections are caused by more virulent microorganisms that are harder to eradicate, require a longer length of treatment and have a greater economic impact on the healthcare system.

A new classification of peri-articular heterotopic ossification of the hip associated with neurological injury: 3D CT scan assessment and intra-operative findings.

In this paper we propose a new classification of neurogenic peri-articular heterotopic ossification (HO) of the hip based on three-dimensional (3D) CT, with the aim of improving pre-operative planning for its excision. A total of 55 patients (73 hips) with clinically significant HO after either traumatic brain or spinal cord injury were assessed by 3D-CT scanning, and the results compared with the intra-operative findings. At operation, the gross pathological anatomy of the HO as identified by 3D-CT imaging was confirmed as affecting the peri-articular hip muscles to a greater or lesser extent. We identified seven patterns of involvement: four basic (anterior, medial, posterior and lateral) and three mixed (anteromedial, posterolateral and circumferential). Excellent intra- and inter-observer agreement, with kappa values > 0.8, confirmed the reproducibility of the classification system. We describe the different surgical approaches used to excise the HO which were guided by the 3D-CT findings. Resection was always successful. 3D-CT imaging, complemented in some cases by angiography, allows the surgeon to define the 3D anatomy of the HO accurately and to plan its surgical excision with precision.

An ultrastructural study of slipped capital femoral epiphysis: pathogenetic considerations.

Two normal proximal femoral growth plates and core biopsies from six patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) were studied by electron microscopy. In these SCFE patients, chondrocytes from all the zones of the plate were frequently smaller than normal, more irregular in shape, and many of them were degenerating, with formation of matrix vesicles and cellular debris. Floccular electron-dense material, most likely abnormal proteoglycan, was present in the hypertrophic rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus as well as in the extracellular matrix, intermingled with collagen fibrils thinner than normal and loosely arranged. Mineralization of the abnormal matrix of the longitudinal septa of the degenerating zone was either scanty or absent, with scanty formation of irregular and thin bone trabeculae. The abnormalities observed in SCFE seem to be caused by a change in chondrocyte metabolism with consequent altered synthesis and/or extracellular aggregation of both collagen and proteoglycan, and scanty mineralization of the abnormal cartilage matrix.

Vertebra plana. Long-term follow-up in five patients.

Five patients with vertebra plana were followed for twelve to thirty years after the diagnosis had been made. Histiocytosis X had been the presumptive diagnosis in all five patients. Their ages at diagnosis ranged from four to twelve years and at follow-up, from nineteen to forty years. When they were last seen, none of the patients complained of symptoms related to the original disease, and the radiographs showed reconstitution of the vertebral height equivalent to 48 to 95 per cent of normal, with no sign of osteoarthritis. The best radiographic results occurred in the two youngest patients, who had involvement of the first lumbar vertebra, whereas the patient who was oldest at follow-up, with vertebra plana in the ninth thoracic vertebra, had the worst result. The four patients with just vertebra plana were treated with a plaster jacket and a brace, whereas the one with multicentric skeletal involvement had chemotherapy as well as orthopaedic treatment.

The long-term functional and radiographic outcomes of untreated and non-operatively treated metatarsus adductus.

Thirty-one patients (forty-five feet) who had metatarsus adductus were evaluated at our institution and were followed for an average of thirty-two years and six months. Of these thirty-one patients, twenty-one (thirty-one feet) were examined clinically and radiographically. Information on the remaining ten patients (fourteen feet) was obtained by letter or telephone, or both. Twelve patients (sixteen feet) who had a passively correctable deformity (mild or moderate) at the time of the initial presentation had no treatment. Twenty patients (twenty-nine feet) who had a partly flexible or rigid deformity (moderate or severe) at the time of the initial presentation were managed with serial manipulation and application of plaster holding casts. (One patient who had a bilateral deformity had no treatment on one side and conservative management on the other). The results were good in all sixteen of the untreated feet and in twenty-six (90 per cent) of the twenty-nine feet that had been conservatively treated. There were no poor results. The passively correctable deformities resolved spontaneously. Radiographs showed an obliquity of the medial cuneiform-metatarsal joint in twenty-one (68 per cent) of the thirty-one feet that were examined clinically and radiographically. Similar findings were observed in four of eleven contralateral, normal feet. Hallux valgus was not a common outcome. No patient had operative correction.

Long-term results of treatment of fractures of the medial humeral epicondyle in children.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of isolated, displaced fractures of the medial humeral epicondyle in children is controversial. Both plaster cast immobilization without reduction and open reduction and internal fixation have been advocated. The purpose of this long-term retrospective study was to analyze the functional and radiographic results of both nonsurgical and surgical management of these injuries. METHODS: Forty-two patients who had had an isolated fracture of the medial humeral epicondyle with displacement of >5 mm at an average age of twelve years (range, eight to fifteen years) were evaluated at an average age of forty-five years (range, thirty to sixty-one years). The patients were divided into three groups that were comparable with regard to the amount of fracture displacement, age at the time of the fracture, age at the time of follow-up, sports activities and occupation, and duration of follow-up. In Group I (nineteen patients), the fracture had been treated with a long-arm plaster cast without reduction of the displaced medial epicondyle. In Group II (seventeen patients), open reduction and internal fixation with either Kirschner wires or a T-nail had been performed. In Group III (six patients), the epicondylar fragment had been excised with suture reattachment of the tendons and the medial collateral ligament. RESULTS: According to a functional grading scale, there were sixteen good and three fair results in Group I. All but two patients were seen to have nonunion of the fragment on follow-up radiographs, but all had a normal result on valgus stress-testing of the elbow. The range of motion of the elbow was either normal or minimally decreased, and the grip strength of the ipsilateral hand was normal. There were fifteen good and two fair results in Group II. All patients had union of the medial epicondyle, with various radiographic deformities of the medial epicondyle, but the functional results were similar to those of the Group-I patients. The Group-III patients had four poor and two fair results. Four had constant pain at the elbow and paresthesias in the distribution of the ulnar nerve. One patient had a restricted range of motion of the elbow, four patients had an unstable elbow, and three patients had decreased grip strength of the ipsilateral hand. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, nonsurgical treatment of isolated fractures of the medial humeral epicondyle with between 5 and 15 mm of displacement yielded good long-term results similar to those obtained with open reduction and internal fixation. The nonunion of the epicondylar fragment that was present in most patients who had been treated only with a cast did not adversely affect the functional results. Surgical excision of the medial epicondylar fragment should be avoided because the long-term results are poor.

Long-term comparative results in patients with congenital clubfoot treated with two different protocols.

BACKGROUND: Long-term follow-up studies of adults who had been treated for congenital clubfoot as infants are rare. The purpose of this study was to review and compare the long-term results in two groups of patients with congenital clubfoot treated with two different techniques. In both groups, treatment was started within the first three weeks of life by manipulation and application of toe-to-groin plaster casts, with a different technique in each group. At the end of the manipulative treatment, a posteromedial release was performed when the patient was between eight and twelve months of age in the first group and a limited posterior release was performed when the patient was between two and four months of age in the second group. METHODS: At the follow-up evaluations, all patients were interviewed and examined, and standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs and computed tomography scans of the foot were made. The results of treatment were graded according to the system of Laaveg and Ponseti. Numerous angular measurements were made on the radiographs, and the measurements in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The first group, which included thirty-two patients (forty-seven clubfeet), was followed until an average age of twenty-five years. The second group, with thirty-two patients (forty-nine clubfeet), was followed until an average age of nineteen years. In the first group, there were two excellent, eighteen good, eleven fair, and sixteen poor results. In the second group, there were eighteen excellent, twenty good, six fair, and five poor results. According to the system of Laaveg and Ponseti, the mean rating in the first group was 74.7 points and that in the second group was 85.4 points. CONCLUSIONS: In the second group, use of Ponseti's manipulation technique and cast immobilization followed by an open heel-cord lengthening and a limited posterior ankle release gave much better long-term results than those obtained in the first group, treated with our manipulation technique and cast immobilization followed by an extensive posteromedial release of the foot. In our hands, this operation did not prevent relapse, and neither cavovarus nor forefoot adduction was completely corrected.

Excision for the treatment of periarticular ossification of the knee in patients who have a traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Patients who are comatose after a traumatic brain injury often have heterotopic periarticular ossification that can be treated with excision to improve the range of motion of the joint. METHODS: Areas of periarticular ossification were resected at an average of twenty-three months after recovery from a coma in seven knees of five patients who had a traumatic brain injury. Before the procedure, all of the knees were fixed in a flexed position that ranged from 10 to 40 degrees and they had a painful arc of motion that ranged from 20 to 70 degrees of flexion. None of the patients could walk, and some of them could barely sit in a wheelchair. At the end of the operation, the arc of motion was markedly improved in all of the knees (0 to 130 degrees in three knees, 0 to 120 degrees in three, and 10 to 120 degrees in one). In an attempt to prevent postoperative loss of motion and recurrence of the ossification, continuous passive motion was applied to the involved knee for six weeks before a full rehabilitation program was started. The latest follow-up evaluation was at an average of thirty-four months (range, twenty-five to sixty months). RESULTS: At the time of follow-up, all of the patients could walk and all of the knees were pain-free. One knee had an arc of flexion of 0 to 90 degrees; two, an arc of 10 to 100 degrees; one, an arc of 5 to 110 degrees; two, an arc of 0 to 120 degrees; and one, an arc of 0 to 130 degrees. Ossification did not recur in any of the knees. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with good neuromuscular control had the best general functional result. The routine use of a continuous-passive-motion machine was associated with no recurrence of ossification, and there was some late loss of motion after its use was discontinued.

The long-term prognosis of unilateral Perthes' disease.

We have attempted to identify the most important long-term prognostic factors in Perthes' disease by studying 61 patients affected unilaterally. The average age at diagnosis was 7 years 5 months and at follow-up it was 32 years, an average interval of 25 years. The age at diagnosis, age at follow-up, Catterall group, acetabular coverage, femoral head subluxation and the other head-at-risk signs were statistically correlated with Stulberg, Cooperman and Wallensten (1981) radiographic classes and the Iowa hip score. Statistically significant correlations were found between Stulberg class and Iowa hip score; age at diagnosis and Stulberg class; age at follow-up and Iowa hip score; and between lateral subluxation of the femoral head and Iowa hip score. Three age-groups of patients were found to carry different long-term prognoses. Those below five years of age at diagnosis showed a statistically significant correlation between Catterall group and Stulberg Classes I and II. Patients between five and nine years of age at diagnosis showed a significant correlation between Catterall group and Stulberg Classes I, II, III and IV while in patients diagnosed after nine years of age there was no statistical correlation between Catterall group and Stulberg class, all having a poor prognosis and ending up in Stulberg Classes III, IV and V.