Between June 2001 and November 2008 a modified Dunn osteotomy with a surgical hip dislocation was performed in 30 hips in 28 patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Complications and clinical and radiological outcomes after a mean follow-up of 3.8 years (1.0 to 8.5) were documented. Subjective outcome was assessed using the Harris hip score and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index questionnaire. Anatomical or near-anatomical reduction was achieved in all cases. The epiphysis in one hip showed no perfusion intra-operatively and developed avascular necrosis. There was an excellent outcome in 28 hips. Failure of the implants with a need for revision surgery occurred in four hips. Anatomical reduction can be achieved by this technique, with a low risk of avascular necrosis. Cautious follow-up is necessary in order to avoid implant failure.

Level IV: retrospective study or historical series.

The knowledge of normal values for cartilaginous and labral coverage is a valuable adjunct in decision-making for secondary surgery in residual dysplasia. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study.

We reviewed 25 children who presented consecutively with voluntary (habitual) subluxation of the shoulder. Thirty-six shoulders were involved and symptoms had been present for an average period of 12 years. Eighteen children were managed by 'skillful neglect': all these had become fully active in the profession of their choice and were satisfied with the outcome. Two of them had required shoulder surgery in adult life but only after trauma. Seven children (ten shoulders) had undergone stabilising operations during childhood with the aim of preventing later degenerative arthritis. These patients were also active in their selected professions, but only three (five of the ten shoulders) had good results: two shoulders had recurrent instability, two were painful and one was stiff. None of the shoulders in either group had developed osteoarthritic changes. There was no association with emotional or psychiatric problems. We conclude that voluntary subluxation of the shoulder in children has a favourable prognosis and that there is no indication for surgical intervention during childhood.

Level III.

BackgroundHip reconstructive surgery in cerebral palsy (CP) patients necessitates either femoral varus derotational osteotomy (VDRO) or pelvic osteotomy, or both. The purpose of this study is to review the results of a moderate varisation [planned neck shaft angle (NSA) of 130°] in combination with pelvic osteotomy for a consecutive series of patients.MethodsPatients with CP who had been treated at our institution for hip dysplasia, subluxation or dislocation with VDRO in combination with pelvic osteotomy between 2005 and 2010 were reviewed.ResultsForty patients with a mean follow-up of 5.4 years were included. The mean age at the time of operation was 8.9 years. The majority were non-ambulant children [GMFCS I–III: n = 11 (27.5 %); GMFCS IV–V: n = 29 (72.5 %)]. In total, 57 hips were treated with both femoral and pelvic osteotomy. The mean pre-operative NSA angle of 152.3° was reduced to 132.6° post-operatively. Additional adductor tenotomy was performed in nine hips (16 %) at initial operation. Reimers’ migration percentage (MP) was improved from 63.6 % pre-operatively to 2.7 % post-operatively and showed a mean of 9.7 % at the final review. The results were good in 96.5 % (n = 55) with centred, stable hips (MP <33 %), fair in one with a subluxated hip (MP 42 %) and poor in one requiring revision pelvic osteotomy for ventral instability.ConclusionsThis approach maintains good hip abduction and reduces soft-tissue surgery. Moderate varisation in VDRO in combination with pelvic osteotomy leads to good mid-term results with stable, pain-free hips, even in patients with severe spastic quadriplegia.

Despite previous reports that a prophylactic fixation using a single-cannulated cancellous screw is unproblematic and safe, we showed that in our series growth persistence was the rule and in some cases the physeal overgrowth necessitates a hardware replacement. Careful follow-up until fusion of the growth plate should be recommended.

Subtrochanteric extending and/or derotational osteotomies fixed with an LCP are a reliable procedure in neuro-orthopaedic patients. Most patients can be treated with early postoperative full weight bearing. However, in heavier patients, possible implant failure must be considered.