Gui R, Canavese F, Liu S, Li L, Zhang L, Li Q. The potential role of the Alsberg angle as a predictor of lateral growth disturbance of the capital femoral epiphysis in children with developmental dysplasia of the hip treated by closed reduction.
J Child Orthop 2020;
14:106-111. [PMID:
32351622 PMCID:
PMC7184648 DOI:
10.1302/1863-2548.14.190158]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE
Early diagnosis and prevention of lateral growth disturbance of the capital femoral epiphysis is challenging after treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The aim of the study was to evaluate the radiographic changes of the Alsberg angle (AA) in normal children and those with DDH, and to assess the role of AA as a potential predictor of lateral growth disturbance of the capital femoral epiphysis.
METHODS
AA was measured on the anterior-posterior pelvic radiographs of 1000 normal children ranging in age from one to ten years and in 66 children (92 hips) with DDH treated by closed reduction (CR). A comparative analysis was performed.
RESULTS
In the normal children, mean AA decreased linearly with age, from 76° at age one year to 65° at age ten years, irrespective of gender and laterality. In children with DDH, the average AA was 81.5°(sd 3.9°; 74° to 87°) prior to CR; it was 75.9° (sd 4.5°; 68° to 83°) in normal children of the same age (p < 0.001). Among the 42 children (64 hips) with successfully and uneventfully treated DDH, AA reached normal values between the ages of five and six years. In contrast, children with lateral growth disturbance of the proximal femur physis (24 children, 28 hips) showed significantly higher AA values in comparison with the age-matched controls.
CONCLUSION
In DDH patients with successful CR, AA could be expected to match normal values in children between the ages of five and six years. On the other hand, AA can be used as an early predictor for lateral growth disturbance of the capital femoral epiphysis.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level III.
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