Distal transfer of the greater trochanter in acquired coxa vara. Clinical and radiographic results.

Abstract

Relative overgrowth of the greater trochanter is a problem related to proximal femoral growth cartilage damage. Eleven hips in 10 patients aged 4-13 years with acquired coxa vara were retrospectively reviewed. Distal and lateral transfer of the greater trochanter was performed in all patients. The average follow-up was 42.7 months. The causes of the overgrowth were Perthes disease, avascular necrosis after treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip, septic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Radiological assessment revealed an improvement of both the articulotrochanteric distance and the greater trochanter relative overgrowth. Values referred to the acetabulum or the neck-shaft angle remained unmodified. Clinical improvement was achieved. A fracture of the transferred greater trochanter was observed. We believe that this procedure is a simple technique, with good results and few complications.