Intertrochanteric osteotomy without displacement fixed with an AO blade plate in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip.

The results in 90 patients with osteoarthritis of the hip, treated by intertrochanteric osteotomy fixed with an AO blade plate, were analyzed 1-5 years after operation. The operation was performed without displacement of osteotomy, the aim being to produce bony union in the original position using the AO compression technique. With one exception, all osteotomies fused, but dislocation exceeding 0.5 cm resulted in four cases. The operation brought about relief from night pain in 88% of the patients and relief from weight-bearing pain in 41%. Abduction and adduction were the only movements that improved. The results were the same 1-2 and 4-5 years after the operation. Complications were rare, and the use of the compression method enabled the patients to get on by themselves the day after operation. This method is particularly well suited for young patients.