ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Standard treatments may provide adequate containment in mild to moderate Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD), but they can be problematic in more severe cases. The purpose of this study was to report the results of combined shelf acetabuloplasty with femoral varus osteotomy in severe LCPD. METHODS: We reviewed 12 patients who had undergone combined shelf acetabuloplasty with femoral varus osteotomy. The indications for this type of operation were: (1) above 8 years of age at clinical onset; (2) massive femoral epiphysis involvement (Catterall group 4, lateral pillar C); (3) femoral head lateral subluxation on the anteroposterior radiograph; and (4) impending hinged abduction on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging or arthrography. The mean age was 9.3 years (range, 8 to 10.8 years). The patients were clinically evaluated with Iowa hip score and leg length discrepancy at the final follow-up. Radiographic outcome was assessed using the Stulberg classification to evaluate femoral head sphericity. The presence of osteoarthritis was evaluated by the Tonnis classification. Correlation analysis was conducted to analyze the preoperative factors that were strongly associated with patients' outcomes. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 10.1 years (range, 7.1 to 13.2 years). Functional grade was excellent in all patients at last follow-up (mean, 92; range, 82 to 99). The mean leg length discrepancy after skeletal maturity was 0.9 cm (range, 0 to 1.7 cm). There were no significant complications or need for additional surgery. Radiographically, 92% of patients reached satisfactory outcomes: Stulberg grade I, 0 cases; Stulberg grade II, 4 cases (34%); Stulberg III, 7 cases (58%), Stulberg IV, 1 case (8%); and Stulberg V, 0 cases. There was no osteoarthritis by Tonnis classification. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical outcomes for combined shelf acetabuloplasty with femoral varus osteotomy in severe LCPD patients over 8 years old are comparable with other advanced surgical methods. In the cases of severe disease that match our inclusion criteria, our containment method could be another treatment option.