Sequelae of Septic Arthritis of Hip in a Child Presenting with Acetabular Defect and Hip Dislocation: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review on Successful Treatment with Steel Osteotomy

Abstract

Septic arthritis of the hip in late childhood leads to different sequelae. These cases are often missed and lead to various disabilities like hip subluxation, limb length discrepancy, and limping. The primary goal is always to reproduce a concentrically reduced stable hip. We are presenting a 13-year child with sequelae of septic arthritis of the hip with dislocation. The child had septic arthritis of the hip two years back. The patient had a superolateral acetabular defect and was treated with triple innominate steel osteotomy. The osteotomy increased the acetabular head coverage and gave a stable congruent hip to the child. Late childhood septic arthritis cases can produce acetabular defects without involving the femoral head leading to dislocation. Such cases can be effectively treated with triple innominate pelvic osteotomy, giving good head coverage with stable congruent hips.