Cemented Total Hip Arthroplasty With Subtrochanteric Osteotomy in Dysplastic Hips

Background Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the presence of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) can be technically challenging. Restoring the anatomic center of hip rotation may require femoral osteotomy. Techniques using cementless components are widely reported but less is known about using cemented components that may be more appropriate with osteopenic bone.

Questions/purposes We therefore determined the rate of union, complications, and early functional score in a series of patients with DDH who underwent cemented THA and simultaneous subtrochanteric osteotomy.

Methods We retrospectively reviewed 28 patients (35 hips) who underwent a cemented THA for DDH at a mean age of 47.3 years. Two patients (two hips) died within 12 months of surgery of unrelated conditions. The clinical notes and radiographs were reviewed with a minimum followup of 2 years (mean, 5.6 years; range, 2-14 years). Complications were noted. SF-12 and Oxford hip scores (OHS) were recorded for 18 patients preoperatively and after 6 and 12 months.

Results Union occurred in 32 of 33 femora (97%); one patient had an infected nonunion. The overall revision rate was 20% (9% femoral revision rate). There were three dislocations, two of which had further surgery. Two patients had a transient neuropraxia. The mean SF-12 physical component score increased from 32 to 52 and mean SF-12 mental component score increased from 48 to 51. The mean OHS decreased from 40 to 27.

Conclusion Combined subtrochanteric osteotomy and cemented THA is technically demanding with a higher complication rate than routine THA. The rate of union, complications, implant survival, and early OHS were comparable to those for similar techniques using cementless components.

Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.