Long-term follow-up of fascia lata transfer for the paralytic hip in myelodysplasia.

We evaluated the results of fifty-eight fascia lata transfers and anterior hip releases in thirty-three myelodysplastic patients with a minimum follow-up of 10.9 years. The procedure does not appear to achieve hip stability or prevent recurrent flexion deformity. Pelvic obliquity occurs secondary to scoliosis and results in increased instability of the hip on the high side and ischial decubitus ulcers on the low side. The degree of scoliosis and pelvic obliquity is related to the level of neural involvement. Similarly, ambulatory status is dependent on neural function and is not affected by instability of the hip.