Arthrodiastasis of the hip.

BACKGROUND

Hip distraction in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease unloads the joint, which negates the harmful effect of the stresses on the articular surface, which may promote the sound healing of the areas of necrosis.

METHODS

Nonarticulated arthrodiastasis without soft tissue release using an Ilizarov external fixator was applied to 29 patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (older than 8 y at onset and lateral pillar type C or B).

RESULTS

Follow-up period ranged from 2.5 to 11 years with an average of 7.5 years. Twenty-seven cases (93%) had improvement of the range of motion postoperatively. Preoperatively, all patients had constant pain, whereas at last follow-up 26 (86%) patients had no pain and 3 had an improvement. Stulberg classification was applied to 21 cases who reached skeletal maturity at last follow-up: 9 cases were type II, 7 cases were type III, 4 cases were type IV, and 1 case was type V.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonarticulated hip distraction without soft tissue release seems to be a valid treatment option in cases with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease where poor results are expected from conventional treatment.