Hip Preservation in Sequelae of Septic Arthritis in the Newborn, Case Report

Abstract

Septic arthritis of the hip in newborn may cause severe sequelae that has a negative impact on daily living activities. We present a patient with septic arthritis of the right hip in the newborn period (NB) classified as type IV-A according to Choi, in order to increase coverage to prevent progression of subluxation and improve joint containment and stability, a Dega-type acetabuloplasty was performed at the age of 5 years old. The patient lost follow-up for five years, she consulted again and after clinical and radiological evaluation a pelvic support osteotomy was planned and performed at the age of 15 for hip preservation. We share the postoperative outcomes observed in a rare case with complications, following hip preservation surgery, with the long-term follow-up until 22 years old. This case shows that maintaining a stable hip between the femoral epiphysis and the acetabulum, allows to reduce complications, like lower limb length discrepancy (LLD) and worsening of the activity of daily living (ADL) and postponing, or preventing hip replacement at younger ages.