Use of inlet radiographs in the assessment of reduction after the surgical treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip - Part 1

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition characterized by changes in joint formation within the last months of intrauterine life or the first months after birth. Developmental dysplasia of the hip presentation ranges from femoroacetabular instability to several stages of dysplasia up to complete dislocation. Early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment. Clinical screening, including appropriate maneuvers, is critical in newborns and subsequent examinations during the growth of the child. Infants with suspected DDH must undergo an ultrasound screening, especially those with a breech presentation at delivery or a family history of the condition. A hip ultrasound within the first months, followed by pelvic radiograph at 4 or 6 months, determines the diagnosis and helps follow-up. Treatment consists of concentric reduction and hip maintenance and stabilization with joint remodeling. The initial choices are flexion/abduction orthoses; older children may require a spica cast after closed reduction, with or without tenotomy. An open reduction also can be indicated. After 18 months, the choices include pelvic osteotomies with capsuloplasty and, eventually, acetabular and femoral osteotomies. The follow-up of treated children must continue throughout their growth due to the potential risk of late dysplasia.

Intraoperative monitoring of the femoral and sciatic nerves in total hip arthroplasty with high-riding developmental dysplasia

AIMS

This study aimed to explore whether intraoperative nerve monitoring can identify risk factors and reduce the incidence of nerve injury in patients with high-riding developmental dysplasia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a historical controlled study of patients with unilateral Crowe IV developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Between October 2016 and October 2017, intraoperative nerve monitoring of the femoral and sciatic nerves was applied in total hip arthroplasty (THA). A neuromonitoring technician was employed to monitor nerve function and inform the surgeon of ongoing changes in a timely manner. Patients who did not have intraoperative nerve monitoring between September 2015 and October 2016 were selected as the control group. All the surgeries were performed by one surgeon. Demographics and clinical data were analyzed. A total of 35 patients in the monitoring group (ten male, 25 female; mean age 37.1 years (20 to 46)) and 56 patients in the control group (13 male, 43 female; mean age 37.9 years (23 to 52)) were enrolled. The mean follow-up of all patients was 13.1 months (10 to 15).

RESULTS

The two groups had no significant differences in preoperative data. In the monitoring group, ten nerve alerts occurred intraoperatively, and no neural complications were detected postoperatively. In the control group, six patients had neural complications. The rate of nerve injury was lower in the monitoring group than in the control group, but this did not achieve statistical significance. The degree of leg lengthening was significantly greater in the monitoring group than in the control group. In further analyses, patients who had previous hip surgery were more likely to have intraoperative nerve alerts and postoperative nerve injury.

CONCLUSION

Nerve injury usually occurred during the processes of exposure and reduction. The use of intraoperative nerve monitoring showed a trend towards reduced nerve injury in THA for Crowe IV DDH patients. Hence, we recommend its routine use in patients undergoing leg lengthening, especially in those with previous hip surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:1438-1446.

Is male gender a prognostic factor for developmental dysplasia of the hip? Mid-long-term results of posteromedial limited surgery

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine if male sex is a poor prognostic factor for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and to determine the mid-long-term radiological and clinical results of male patients in comparison with female patients following an open reduction with posteromedial limited approach.

Methods

We examined 54 hips of 41 male patients (12.38 ± 4.82 months) and 96 hips of 82 female patients (11.11 ± 4.93 months) with DDH. All the patients underwent open reduction with posteromedial limited approach. The average follow-up time was 108 months for the male patients and 110 months for the female patients. The Tönnis grade, acetabular index, Kalamchi and MacEwen classification, and Severin classifications were determined for all patients. The Mc Kay classification system was used to evaluate the functional results.

Results

From the total, 25 (60%) male and 70 (85%) female patients had satisfactory radiographic outcomes (Severin Ia, Ib, or II) according to the Severin classification. There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the Severin classification (P = 0.04). Residual acetabular dysplasia (RAD) was observed in 12 (15%) female and 17 (41%) male patients (P = 0.001). Grade 2 or higher osteonecrosis was observed in 7 (9%) patients in female and 6 (15%) patients in male group. The clinical outcomes in terms of the Mc Kay classification showed satisfactory outcomes in 72 (87%) female and 34 (82%) male patients. Further, 8 (9.7%) female patients and 6 (14.6%) male patients underwent a second operation. However, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative osteonecrosis presence (P = 0.982), functional outcomes (P = 0.571), and secondary operation rates (P = 0.298). Male sex was associated with poor outcomes in terms of the Severin classification (P = 0.04) and RAD (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Although our results indicated that male sex is a poor prognostic factor for radiological results and RAD, there was no difference between male and female patients in terms of osteonecrosis, redislocations, and functional outcomes. Secondary surgical interventions should not be delayed in the absence of the spontaneous development of acetabulum.

Level of evidence

Level III, prognostic study.