A comparison between innominate osteotomy and hip spica in the treatment of Legg-Perthes' disease.

Thirty-eight cases of Legg-Perthes' disease treated by innominate osteotomy have been reviewed and compared with 33 cases, matched for age and severity, treated in recumbency in plaster hip spicas. The results were similar in the two groups, the radiologic results in the innominate osteotomy group being marginally worse. There was a high incidence of poor results in both groups in those over the age of eight years at the onset of symptoms, especially if femoral "head at risk" signs were present. Other methods of treatment need to be provided for these older children.