Objective: To summarize the surgical technique and the effectiveness of Becker V-shaped lateral rotation osteotomy in total hip arthroplasty (THA) for Crowe type IV development dislocation of the hip (DDH).
Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2009, 18 patients (22 hips) with Crowe type IV DDH underwent THA. There were 3 males and 15 females with an average age of 54 years (range, 41-75 years). The unilateral hip was involved in 14 cases and bilateral hips in 4 cases. All patients had over anteversion of the femoral neck, with the acetabular anteversion angle of (21.28 +/- 4.87) degrees, the femoral neck anteversion angle of (59.06 +/- 1.44) degrees, and combined anteversion angle of (80.33 +/- 1.55) degrees. All the patients had limb-length discrepancy, ranged from 1.0 to 3.5 cm (mean, 2.5 cm). Before operation, gluteus medius muscle strength was grade 2 in 17 hips and grade 3 in 5 hips; severe or moderate claudication was observed in 13 and 5 patients, respectively. Trendelenburg sign was positive in all patients. Preoperative Harris score was 30.00 +/- 6.32. Cementless prosthesis was used. Becker V-shaped lateral rotation osteotomy and subtrochanteric shortening with overlapping femoral resection were performed, and proximal femoral shaft splitting was performed on 21 hips having narrow bone marrow cavity.
Results: All the cases achieved primary healing of incision. No complication of anterior dislocation, deep infection, nerve traction injury, or femoral uncontrolled fracture occurred. All the cases were followed up 3-12 years (mean, 8 years). Postoperative X-ray films showed that the initial fixation result of femoral prosthesis was excellent in 18 hips and good in 4 hips. Bone healing of osteotomy stump was obtained at 3-6 months (mean, 5 months) after operation. Affected limb prolonged for 2.5-3.5 cm (mean, 3.0 cm) at 1 year after operation; limb-length discrepancy was 0.5-1.5 cm (mean, 1.0 cm). The gluteus medius muscle strength was restored to grade 4 in 5 hips and grade 5 in 17 hips. At last follow-up, 13 patients had no claudication, and 5 patients had mild claudication; Trendelenburg sign was negative in 15 cases and was positive in 3 cases; the Harris score was significantly improved to 91.89 +/- 3.22; all showing significant difference when compared with preoperative ones (P < 0.05). At last follow-up, the acetabular anteversion angle, the femoral neck anteversion angle, and combined anteversion angle were (19.33 +/- 4.49), (13.33 +/- 5.70), and (32.67 +/- 5.35) degrees, respectively, all showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (P < 0.05). No aseptic loosening, osteolysis, or rediolucent line was found around the femoral component. No implant subsidence, stem varus, or revision occurred.
Conclusion: Becker V-shaped lateral rotation osteotomy is a safe and predictable method to treat type Crowe type IV DDH.