Purpose Surgical treatment in advanced-stage infantile Blount’s disease with medial plateau (MP) depression is challenging. Several osteotomies and fixation methods have been described with no established benchmark. We conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new single-stage technique for acute medial condyle elevation and metaphyseal osteotomies with internal fixation. Methods A prospective case series of 19 consecutive patients (21 knees) with severe infantile Blount’s disease underwent a single-stage MP elevation and metaphyseal osteotomies, with internal fixation. The mean age was 10.3 years (8.2 to 13.6) and the mean follow-up was 5.1 years (3.2 to 8.3). The outcome measures included clinical and radiological parameters and patient-reported pediatric outcomes data collection instrument (PODCI) score. Results The mean PODCI score improved significantly from 50% to 88%. The mean internal tibial torsion improved from -27° to 11°. All cases maintained full knee extension, no limitation in flexion range of movement and no signs of instability or lateral thrust gait. All the radiographic parameters improved significantly; the mean tibiofemoral angle improved from -29° to 7°, the metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle improved from 33.4° to 4.7° and the angle of depressed MP improved from 38.3° to 2.4° (p < 0.001). At the latest follow-up, no cases of deformity recurrence were identified, the final limb-length discrepancy was < 1 cm in all patients. Conclusion Single-stage MP elevation and metaphyseal osteotomies with internal fixation significantly improved the clinical and radiographic parameters and PODCI score in advanced infantile Blount’s disease and precluded the use of external immobilization, with no evidence of deformity recurrence. Level of evidence IV

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Purpose Treatment of moderate to severe stable slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) remains a challenging problem. Open reduction by modified Dunn procedure carries a considerable risk of osteonecrosis (ON). Imhauser osteotomy is capable of realigning the deformity without the risk of ON, but the remaining metaphyseal bump is implicated with significant chondro-labral lesions and accelerated osteoarthritis. We conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Imhauser osteotomy combined with osteochondroplasty (OCP) through the surgical hip dislocation (SHD) approach. Methods A prospective series of 23 patients with moderate-severe stable SCFE underwent Imhauser osteotomy and OCP through SHD. The mean age was 14.4 years (13 to 20) and the mean follow-up period was 45 months (24 to 66). The outcome measures included clinical and radiological parameters and Harris hip score (HHS) was used as a functional score. Results The mean HHS improved significantly from 65.39 to 93.3. The limb length discrepancy improved by a mean of 1.72 cm. The mean flexion and abduction arcs showed a significant improvement (mean increase of 37.5° and 18.5°, respectively). The mean internal rotation demonstrated the most significant improvement (mean increase of 38.5°). All the radiographic parameters improved significantly; including anterior and lateral slip angles (mean improvement 37.52° and 44.37°, respectively). The mean alpha angle decreased by 39.19°. The articulo-trochanteric distance significantly increased to a mean of 23.26 mm. No cases of ON or chondrolysis were identified. Conclusion Combined Imhauser osteotomy and OCP through the surgical dislocation approach provide a comprehensive and safe management of moderate to severe stable SCFE. Level of evidence IV

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) remains the most common adolescent hip disorder. Most cases present with stable slips, and in situ fixation is the most commonly adopted treatment worldwide. The introduction of the concept of femoroacetabular impingement and subsequent studies have revealed SCFE-related hip impingement to be a significant pre-arthritic condition, and the previously suggested remodeling of the proximal femur after in situ fixation has been called into question. Complex proximal femoral osteotomies and more recently intra-articular procedures via surgical hip dislocation have been employed. The literature is still lacking a strong evidence to undertake such aggressive procedures. Moreover, the application of a particular procedure regarding the nature of the slip, being stable or unstable, the degree of the slip, and the condition of the physis has not been extensively described in the literature. The purpose of this article is to outline the SCFE-related hip impingement, to review the best evidence for the current treatment options for both stable and unstable slips, and to develop an algorithm for decision making.

Background: Typical sequelae of Perthes disease and Perthes-like deformities comprise a short femoral neck, aspherical femoral head, and greater trochanteric overgrowth. Morscher’s osteotomy aims at restoring the normal extra-articular anatomy, but incapable of restoring a normal head-neck contour with residual impingement. Femoral neck lengthening osteotomy combined with osteochondroplasty through surgical hip dislocation approach was not previously described in the literature. We hypothesized that this technique is capable of near-normal restoration of the proximal femoral anatomy, increasing limb length, restoring abductor power, and simultaneous management of intra-articular chondro-labral disease. Methods: A prospective series of 21 consecutive patients with sequelae of Perthes disease and Perthes-like deformity (Stulberg II and III) were treated by Morscher’s osteotomy through surgical hip dislocation approach. The mean age was 14.9 years (9–30 years) and the mean follow-up was 4.5 years (2–8 years). Results: The mean Harris hip score improved significantly from 66.5 to 89.5 points (p < 0.001), and the mean limb length discrepancy improved from 2.5 to 0.6 cm (p < 0.001). The mean alpha angle improved from 81.8° to 49.5°, the mean neck-shaft angle increased from 117.8° to 129.8°, and the articulo-trochanteric distance has improved from −6.7 to 20.8 mm. Six out of 21 patients required staged periacetabular osteotomy for residual acetabular dysplasia. No cases of chondrolysis or osteonecrosis were identified. Conclusion: Femoral neck lengthening osteotomy through surgical hip dislocation appraoch has proven to be safe and effective for preservation of symptomatic hips with Perthes and Perthes-like deformities and mild to moderate femoral head deformities (Stulberg II and III). A staged periacetabular osteotomy may be required in those patients with significant acetabular dysplasia. Level of evidence: Level IV.