Femoral shortening in total arthroplasty for completely dislocated hips:3–7 year results in 25 cases

Abstract

During the years 1988-1991, we performed 25 total hip replacements for completely dislocated hips in 15 women and 4 men with a median age of 54 (17–67) years. In all cases, femoral shortening at the subtrochanteric level was performed to obtain reduction of the hip. The patients have been followed for 3–7 years. 1 patient experienced sciatic nerve palsy, 1 a delayed union and 1 a malunion at the osteotomy site. There were no signs of mechannical failure. All patients were satisfied. According to the Charnley hip score, function was excellent in 15 cases, good in 9 and fair in 1. The median Harris hip score improved from 43 at the time of operation to 93 at follow-up. 7 hips had a positive and 18 a negative Trendelenburg test. Before operation, all patients had a Trendelenburg limp. Our intermediate results indicate that femoral shortening at the subtrochanteric level is a suitable adjunct to total arthroplasty for a completely dislocated hip.