Purpose The purpose of this prospective non-randomised study was to compare the efficacy of two opposed methods, operative and conservative. Our hypothesis was that if the method was selected correctly, on an individual basis, the results should be approximately equal. Methods The study included 37 adolescents aged between 12 and 16 years, with a mean follow up of 6.1 years. The presence of a significant loose body, confirmed by precise imaging, was the key for selecting operative or arthroscopic treatment. In both groups of patients, we evaluated functional knee scores and the incidence of residual patellofemoral disorders.Results We confirmed our hypothesis using the t-test to compare functional results and a test for comparison of proportions for incidence of residual disorders. There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.091) between operatively and conservatively treated groups with regard to functional results. The same statistical outcome emerged when comparing incidences of re-dislocation (p=0.854), or other major patellar instabilities (p=0.856), between the groups. Conclusions The results obtained should not promote a non-operative method on the basis of lower risk, but do support an individual approach based on precise diagnosis and defined criteria.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the reliability and durability of alumina-on-alumina ceramic in comparison to metal-on-highly cross-linked polyethylene (CoCr/HXLPE) bearing couples. This prospective randomised study involved 150 patients (157 hips). All patients (mean age: 54.7 years) obtained an identical fibre metal midcoat femoral stem and fibre metal-coated acetabular shell. In 78 patients (82 hips) we used alumina, while in 72 patients (75 hips) metal-polyethylene bearing couples were used. During a mean 50.4-month follow-up period (51 ± 8 alumina and 50 ± 8.9 metal-polyethylene) no statistically significant changes in clinical and radiographic parameters were noted between the two groups. There was no ceramic breakage and no need for revision surgery due to the ceramic liner. The alumina bearing couples proved to be as reliable as CoCr/HXLPE.

Ninety-nine hips treated by the Chiari pelvic osteotomy were included in this study designed as a retrospective review. The group consisted of 36 male and 50 female patients, with mean age of 15.6 years. Each was diagnosed with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) or avascular necrosis of the femoral head-Legg-CalvePerthes disease (LCP)-and postreduction avascular necrosis (PAN). Five hip parameters (the acetabular angle of Sharp, the center-edge (CE) angle of Wiberg, the percentage of femoral head uncoverage, the acetabular depth ratio, and the Shenton-Menard arch continuity) were evaluated. Functional outcome was assessed according to Harris hip score (HHS) and McKay criteria for clinical evaluation. The postoperative results showed improvement in all the radiographic parameters. The angle of Sharp showed a decrease of 8.62º (p<0.01). The CE angle of Wiberg showed an increase of 28.76º (p<0.01), and the uncoverage of the femoral head showed a decrease of 51.51%