Current perspectives on the pediatric hip: selected topics in hip dysplasia, Perthes disease, and chondrolysis: synopsis of the hip subspecialty session at the POSNA Annual Meeting, May 1, 2013, Toronto

Arthritis remission with partial cartilage restoration in a 9-year-old female with hip chondrolysis following treatment with adalimumab

Hip chondrolysis is observed primarily or secondary to other diseases and is a rare but yet debilitating disease, characterised by loss of cartilage of the femoral epiphysis and significant restriction of motion. We present the case of a 9-year-old female diagnosed with hip chondrolysis associated with probable juvenile psoriatic arthritis. Avoidance of weight-bearing activities and treatment with corticosteroids, methotrexate, and adalimumab followed by aquatic therapy resulted in clinical and radiographic improvement as well as partial cartilage regeneration.

Long-term Results of Combined Epiphysiodesis and Imhauser Intertrochanteric Osteotomy in SCFE: A Retrospective Study on 53 Hips

BACKGROUND

The management of moderate and severe slipped capital femoral epiphysis is still an issue. The main concern is represented by the choice of an intra-articular or an extra-articular osteotomy to correct the deformity. Theoretically, the intra-articular osteotomy allows the best correction, but it is technically demanding and involves a higher risk of avascular necrosis (AVN); conversely, an extra-articular intertrochanteric osteotomy (ITO) is easier and involves a lower risk of early complications, but may lead to femoroacetabular impingement, resulting in early osteoarthritis and the need for total hip replacement (THR).The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term survivorship free from THR after combined epiphysiodesis and Imhauser ITO.

METHODS

From 1975 to 2000, 45 patients (53 hips) underwent a combined epiphysiodesis and Imhauser ITO. There were 27 male and 18 female patients with an average age of 12.8±1.9 years. All cases showed a posterior sloping angle >40 degrees (mean, 69±16 degrees). The cumulative survivorship was determined according to Kaplan and Meier, with the end point defined as conversion to THR.

RESULTS

A total of 6 patients (6 hips; 11%) had a follow-up <2 years. Among them, no postoperative complications occurred. For the remaining 39 patients (47 hips, 89%), the mean follow-up was 21±11 years. Four early postoperative complications were reported (2 AVN, 2 chondrolysis). The cumulative 39 years' survivorship free from THR was 68.5% (95% confidence interval, 42.4%-84.7%). The age at surgery (hazard ratio=1.849 per year older, P=0.017) and the postoperative onset of AVN or chondrolysis (hazard ratio=10.146, P=0.010) affected the long-term prognosis significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined epiphysiodesis and Imhauser ITO is a valid surgical option in moderate to severe slipped capital femoral epiphysis, preserving the natural hip for at least 39 years in the majority of the patients. Care must be taken to avoid AVN or chondrolysis. The age at surgery affects the prognosis negatively.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III-a retrospective study.

Surgical dislocation for pediatric and adolescent hip deformity: clinical and radiographical results at 3 years follow-up

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical, radiographic short-term results and complications after surgical hip dislocation in young patients (≤18 years).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical and radiographic outcomes were assessed in patients who underwent a surgical hip dislocation Ganz-type approach between 2008 and 2012. Diagnosis included Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, femoroacetabular impingement, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, multiple hereditary exostoses and pigmented villonodular synovitis. Clinical data, the modified Harris hip score, nonarthritic hip score, 12-item short form health survey, the Stulberg classification, morphometric indexes, signs of osteonecrosis and osteoarthrosis were used for the evaluation.

RESULTS

After a mean 3 years follow-up (range 0.5-6 years), 53 hips (51 patients) were evaluated. The most common diagnoses were Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, femoroacetabular impingement and multiple hereditary exostoses. Mean age at surgery was 14 years (range 10-18 years). Through this approach femoral head-neck osteoplasty, Dunn-type osteotomy, labrum refixation, synovectomy, femoral head mosaicplasty open reduction and fixation for slipped capital femoral epiphysis were performed, finally in association with pelvic or intertrochanteric osteotomy. At follow-up, better outcome scores were obtained, progression of the osteonecrosis of the femoral head was observed in four cases and three further patients required the implant of a total hip prosthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

After 3 years follow-up, results are comparable to previous studies and patients have a high rate of satisfaction, however the effectiveness of those procedures have to be proved on the long term. Results and complications seem to be related with preoperative lesion(s) and type of treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective study, case series.

An unusual case of chondrolysis of the hip: a possible etiology for a rare condition - a case report

Idiopathic chondrolysis of the hip (ICH) is a rare condition of unknown etiology, and is characterized by rapid, progressive destruction of the articular cartilage in the coxofemoral joint. This condition has an insidious onset, and is observed more commonly in female preadolescents. Patients report intense pain, motion restriction, and often present with an antalgic gait. Medical imaging techniques are required to make a differential diagnosis and biological markers for inflammation and infection should be evaluated. Avascular necrosis, septic arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis are the primary alternatives that should be precluded before making a diagnosis. Conservative treatment focuses on pain control and preservation of joint mobility. However, surgical treatment may be an option for these patients. We present a rare case of a 10-year-old boy where imaging tests and physical examination were consistent with conventional idiopathic hip chondrolysis. Following hip joint biopsy and culture, we observed the presence of bacteria originating from the mouth, which could have been responsible for the pathogenesis of ICH. This is the first report of ICH in which common bacteria of the mouth were found upon joint biopsy. In addition, with respect to the pathogenesis of hip chondrolysis, this case emphasizes that numerous factors are involved, many of which remain unknown.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V.

Complications Related to the Treatment of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a condition of the immature hip in which mechanical overload of the proximal femoral physis results in anterior and superior displacement of the femoral metaphysis relative to the epiphysis. The treatment of SCFE is surgical, as the natural history of nonsurgical treatment is slip progression and early arthritis. Despite advances in treatment, much controversy exists regarding the best treatment, and complication rates remain high. Complications include osteonecrosis, chondrolysis, SCFE-induced impingement, and related articular degeneration, fixation failure and deformity progression, growth disturbance of the proximal femur, and development of bilateral disease.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip: What has changed in the last 20 years?

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) describes the spectrum of structural abnormalities that involve the growing hip. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical to provide the best possible functional outcome. Persistence of hip dysplasia into adolescence and adulthood may result in abnormal gait, decreased strength and increased rate of degenerative hip and knee joint disease. Despite efforts to recognize and treat all cases of DDH soon after birth, diagnosis is delayed in some children, and outcomes deteriorate with increasing delay of presentation. Different screening programs for DDH were implicated. The suspicion is raised based on a physical examination soon after birth. Radiography and ultrasonography are used to confirm the diagnosis. The role of other imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging, is still undetermined; however, extensive research is underway on this subject. Treatment depends on the age of the patient and the reducibility of the hip joint. At an early age and up to 6 mo, the main treatment is an abduction brace like the Pavlik harness. If this fails, closed reduction and spica casting is usually done. After the age of 18 mo, treatment usually consists of open reduction and hip reconstruction surgery. Various treatment protocols have been proposed. We summarize the current practice for detection and treatment of DDH, emphasizing updates in screening and treatment during the last two decades.