Preliminary study on the stabilization of varus proximal femoral osteotomies using pediatric LCP plates in adults undergoing combined correction of proximal femoral and acetabular dysplasia.

Abstract

Proximal femoral osteotomy (PFO) with periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) improves femoral head coverage in patients with proximal femoral and acetabular dysplasia. Historically, blade plates used in the PFO cause soft-tissue irritation and often lead to implant removal. Here we present a technique using a lower profile pediatric proximal femoral locking compression plate (LCP) for the PFO in a series of adults. The results from 13 hips in 11 patients ≥ 18 years old (age 18-37) with > 10 months of follow-up are presented. All patients had improved radiographic parameters, pain, and total Merle d'Aubigné-Postel scores postoperatively. Eleven hips (85%) had the LCP removed an average of 15.8 ± 8.6 months postoperatively, often due to pain over the greater trochanter. The pediatric proximal femoral LCP is effective for PFO in combined PAO PFO procedures but has a high rate of lateral hip discomfort leading to implant removal.