Long-Term Outcomes at Skeletal Maturity of Combined Pelvic and Femoral Osteotomy for the Treatment of Legg–Calve–Perthes Disease

Abstract

Surgical treatment for Legg–Calve–Perthes disease (LCPD) is recommended for older children with moderate to severe disease. We sought to determine whether double osteotomies lead to improved radiologic outcomes compared to reported non-operative outcomes. Patients older than 6 years of age diagnosed with LCPD lateral pillar B or C who were treated with pelvic and femoral osteotomies were included. Radiologic outcomes and leg-length discrepancies were assessed using the Stulberg classification and were compared with the current literature. Fifteen hips in fourteen patients were treated with double osteotomy for LCPD, and seven had lateral pillar C disease (47%). The mean age at surgery was 8.6 years (range, 7.2–10.4) and the mean age at follow-up was 20.2 years (range, 14.2–35.6). At a mean 11.6-year follow-up (range: 6.3–25.2), double osteotomy resulted in 40% of patients having Stulberg I/II scores, 27% having Stulberg III scores, and 33% having Stulberg IV/V scores. The mean leg-length discrepancy was 1.4 cm in lateral pillar C patients compared to 0.8 cm in lateral pillar B patients. Four patients underwent additional surgeries, including two who required total hip arthroplasty. Double osteotomy as an alternative surgical procedure for the treatment of LCPD did not show improved outcomes when compared to historic non-operative cohorts.

Global trends in the research on Legg–Calve–Perthes disease in Web of Science

“…Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a complex condition affecting the capital femoral epiphysis of the femoral head in children (1). The incidence of LCPD can vary from 0.4 to 29.0 children per 100,000 children under the age of 15 years, with the peak incidence in children aged 4-8 years (2)(3)(4).…”