BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The growth and development of the acetabulum in children with developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH) depends upon the extent of concentric reduction. Children in walking age often need open reduction with or without additional osteotomies to obtain congruous, stable reduction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate acetabular development in late diagnosed DDH treated by open reduction with or without femoral osteotomy.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of 29 children (40 hips) with idiopathic DDH, previously untreated managed by open reduction with or without femoral osteotomy. We analyzed preoperative and yearly postoperative radiographs up to 6 years of age for acetabular development by measuring acetabular index. Acetabular remodeling was assessed with a graphical plot of serial mean acetabular index. Those with AI < 30° at outcome measure point of 6 years of patient age were considered to have satisfactory acetabular remodeling.

RESULTS

Mean age of surgery was 26.8 months. Open reduction alone was done in 14 hips and open reduction with concurrent femoral osteotomy done in 26 hips. The mean acetabular index pre operatively was 36.6° ± 5.9° which reduced to 29.7° ± 6° at 1-year follow-up and to 26.6° ± 5.9° at 2-year follow-up. 28 out of 40 hips were available for evaluation at outcome measure point of 6 years of age, which showed satisfactory remodeling in 24 hips with mean AI of 22.7° ± 5.7°. Maximum acetabular development was seen at 2 years post-surgery and better remodeling was seen in children operated at less than 2 years of age. 5 hips had changes of avascular necrosis of femoral head. There was no incidence of redislocation/subluxation at latest follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Open reduction in late-diagnosed developmental dysplasia of hip has potential for favourable acetabular development. Femoral osteotomy when required along with open reduction may suffice to address acetabular dysplasia found in the initial years of management of DDH.