Shortening subtrochanteric osteotomy and cup placement at true acetabulum in total hip arthroplasty of Crowe III–IV developmental dysplasia: results of midterm follow-up

INTRODUCTION: The anatomic abnormalities in developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH) often make total hip replacement (THR) inevitable at a younger age. However, there is no universal gold standard technique of THR for high dislocated dysplastic hips. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Here we present the outcomes of midterm follow-up after THR in patients diagnosed with DDH Crowe type III and IV hospitalized in a tertiary center in Iran for whom placement of a cup in true acetabulum and selective transverse subtrochanteric osteotomy was performed. Pre- and postoperative Harris Hip Score, leg length discrepancy and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients with DDH Crowe type III and IV (uni- or bilateral which made 52 hips) were studied. Mean age of patients was 41 years with minimum follow-up ranging from 12 months to 3 years. Mean Harris Hip Score significantly improved from 41.70 preoperatively to 88.1 at last follow-up postoperatively. Leg length discrepancy of less than 2 cm was observed which was well tolerated using shoe lifts. Regarding postoperative complications, two patients had transient peroneal nerve palsy in early postoperative period which recovered within 2 months. No other major complication was encountered. CONCLUSION: THR in patients with DDH (Crowe III and IV) with a cup positioned in true acetabulum and transverse subtrochanteric osteotomy is a safe successful procedure.