Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Does Acetabulum Remodel Following Varus Derotation Osteotomy for Perthes' Disease?

Abstract

Objective

We investigated the effect of disease stage, patient's age and final contour of femoral head on acetabulum contour following varus derotation osteotomy of proximal femur (VDRO) in unilateral Perthes's disease.

Methods

The study is a retrospective analysis of case records of 23 children aged ≥6 years with unilateral Perthes' disease who underwent primary VDRO procedure for containment. Acetabular index (AI) and center edge angle (CEA) were calculated bilaterally in preoperative and follow-up radiographs and compared statistically.

Results

There were 15 boys and 8 girls. Six hips were in Ib, 8 in IIa and 9 in IIb modified Waldenström stage while undergoing VDRO. The mean age at surgical intervention was 8.7 years. The mean follow-up duration was 3.5 years. All femoral heads were healed at final follow-up and the final Stulberg grades were I = 3, II = 8, III = 7, IV = 5. A significant acetabular dysplasia on the affected side was present preoperatively. At follow-up, the patients operated had significantly raised AI and reduced CEA. There was no significant acetabular remodeling of the affected hips at follow-up even in children operated at younger age (< 8 years) or early stages (stage Ib or IIa). The acetabulum remodeling did not correspond to the final Stulberg grade as well.

Conclusion

Acetabulum was found involved in early stages of Perthes' disease. Varus derotation femoral osteotomy for the diseased hip showed no significant improvement in acetabular dysplasia even when operated in early disease stages or younger age group. Residual acetabular changes were also noted even with favorable Stulberg grades.

Keywords
acetabulum; child; hip joint; legg-calve-perthes disease

Resumo

Objetivo

Investigamos o efeito do estágio da doença, idade do paciente e contorno final da cabeça femoral no contorno do acetábulo após a osteotomia derrotatória varizante (VDRO) do fêmur proximal na doença de Perthes unilateral.

Métodos

O estudo é uma análise retrospectiva de prontuários de 23 crianças com idade ≥ 6 anos com doença de Perthes unilateral que foram submetidas ao procedimento primário de VDRO para contenção. O índice acetabular (AI) e o ângulo da borda central (CEA) foram calculados bilateralmente em radiografias pré-operatórias e de acompanhamento e submetidos à comparação estatística.

Resultados

Os pacientes eram 15 meninos e oito meninas. À VDRO, seis quadris estavam no estágio de Waldenström modificado Ib, oito no estágio IIa e nove no estágio IIb. A média de idade à intervenção cirúrgica foi de 8,7 anos. A duração média do acompanhamento foi de 3,5 anos. Todas as cabeças femorais estavam consolidadas no último acompanhamento e os graus finais de Stulberg foram I = 3, II = 8, III = 7 e IV = 5. Havia displasia acetabular significativa do lado acometido no período pré-operatório. No acompanhamento, os pacientes operados apresentaram elevação significativa de AI e redução de CEA. Não houve remodelamento acetabular significativo nos quadris acometidos durante o acompanhamento, mesmo em crianças operadas em idade menor (< 8 anos) ou estágios iniciais (estágio Ib ou IIa). O remodelamento do acetábulo também não correspondeu ao grau final de Stulberg.

Conclusão

A VDRO do fêmur do quadril acometido não levou à melhora significativa da displasia acetabular, mesmo quando a cirurgia foi realizada nos estágios iniciais da doença ou em pacientes mais jovens. Alterações acetabulares residuais também foram observadas mesmo com graus de Stulberg favoráveis.

Palavras-chave
acetábulo; articulação do quadril; criança; doença de Legg-Calve-Perthes

Introduction

There is ample evidence that acetabulum is significantly altered in addition to changes in proximal femur in Perthes' disease.11 KamegayaM, Shinada Y,Moriya H, Tsuchiya K, Akita T, Someya M. Acetabular remodelling in Perthes’ disease after primary healing. J Pediatr Orthop 1992;12(03):308–314

2 Grzegorzewski A, Synder M, Kozłowski P, SzymczakW, Bowen RJ. The role of the acetabulum in Perthes disease. J Pediatr Orthop 2006;26(03):316–321

3 Shah H, Siddesh ND, Joseph B. To what extent does remodeling of the proximal femur and the acetabulum occur between disease healing and skeletal maturity in Perthes disease? A radiological study. J Pediatr Orthop 2008;28(07):711–716

4 Huhnstock S, Svenningsen S, Pripp AH, Terjesen T, Wiig O. The acetabulum in Perthes’ disease: a prospective study of 123 children. J Child Orthop 2014;8(06):457–465

5 Madan S, Fernandes J, Taylor JF. Radiological remodelling of the acetabulum in Perthes’ disease. Acta Orthop Belg 2003;69(05): 412–420
-66 Maranho DA, Ferrer M, Kalish LA, Hovater W, Novais EN. The acetabulum in healed Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is cranially retroverted and associated with global reduction of femoral head coverage: a matched-cohort study. J Hip Preserv Surg 2020;7(01):49–56 The acetabular changes begin early with abnormal growth of its cartilage and increased medial joint space. In late stages, a dysplastic lateral acetabulum is often seen associated with an enlarged, laterally displaced femoral head.55 Madan S, Fernandes J, Taylor JF. Radiological remodelling of the acetabulum in Perthes’ disease. Acta Orthop Belg 2003;69(05): 412–420

A key treatment in Perthes' disease involves seating the femoral head as fully inside the acetabular socket so that it may retain its sphericity during the period of subsequent revascularization and remodelling.77 Price CT, Thompson GH, Wenger DR. Containment methods for treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Orthop Clin North Am 2011;42(03):329–340 88 Joseph B, Price CT. Principles of containment treatment aimed at preventing femoral head deformation in Perthes disease. Orthop Clin North Am 2011;42(03):317–327 Containment with proximal femur varus derotation osteotomy (VDRO) is one of the preferred surgical procedures recommended for this purpose. Many studies report the improvement in sphericity and radiological outcome of proximal femur following the use of VDRO procedure.99 KołbanM, Darczuk J, ChmielnickiM. Remodelling and congruency of the hip joint in children with Perthes’ disease treated with varus-derotation subtrochanteric osteotomy. Ortop Traumatol Rehabil 2004;6(06):697–704

10 Herceg MB, Cutright MT,Weiner DS. Remodeling of the proximal femur after upper femoral varus osteotomy for the treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. J Pediatr Orthop 2004;24(06): 654–657

11 Aydin BK, Sofu H, Konya MN, Er T, Sahin V. Clinical and radiographic outcomes after femoral varus derotation osteotomy for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease at 25 years follow-up: what are the determinants of outcome in the long term? Hip Int 2016;26(03): 301–306

12 Shohat N, Copeliovitch L, Smorgick Y, et al. the long-termoutcome after varus derotational osteotomy for Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease: Amean follow-up of 42 years. J Bone Joint Surg Am2016;98 (15):1277–1285

13 Joseph B, RaoN,Mulpuri K, Varghese G, Nair S. Howdoes a femoral varus osteotomy alter the natural evolution of Perthes’ disease? J Pediatr Orthop B 2005;14(01):10–15

14 Joseph B, Nair NS, Narasimha Rao K, Mulpuri K, Varghese G. Optimal timing for containment surgery for Perthes disease. J Pediatr Orthop 2003;23(05):601–606
-1515 Kitakoji T, Hattori T, Kitoh H, Katoh M, Ishiguro N. Which is a better method for Perthes’ disease: femoral varus or Salter osteotomy? Clin Orthop Relat Res 2005;(430):163–170 Since the acetabular changes closely follow the changes in femoral head morphology during the disease process, one might expect that a femoral containment osteotomy will also produce a congruent acetabulum at disease healing.55 Madan S, Fernandes J, Taylor JF. Radiological remodelling of the acetabulum in Perthes’ disease. Acta Orthop Belg 2003;69(05): 412–420 Others have raised concerns against this hypothesis since VDRO intervention is most commonly offered at a time when remodelling potential of the acetabulum is already limited.55 Madan S, Fernandes J, Taylor JF. Radiological remodelling of the acetabulum in Perthes’ disease. Acta Orthop Belg 2003;69(05): 412–420

There is limited literature specifically evaluating acetabular remodelling following containment procedures in Perthes' disease in children.11 KamegayaM, Shinada Y,Moriya H, Tsuchiya K, Akita T, Someya M. Acetabular remodelling in Perthes’ disease after primary healing. J Pediatr Orthop 1992;12(03):308–314,33 Shah H, Siddesh ND, Joseph B. To what extent does remodeling of the proximal femur and the acetabulum occur between disease healing and skeletal maturity in Perthes disease? A radiological study. J Pediatr Orthop 2008;28(07):711–716 We therefore conducted this study to further understand acetabular changes following VDRO intervention for Perthes' disease. Specifically, we investigated the effect of disease stage, patient's age and final contour of femoral head on acetabulum following the surgical intervention.

Methods

The retrospective study (2010–2020) was performed at a tertiary care pediatric center. Ethical clearance from Institutional Ethics Committee was obtained for the study and written informed consent was obtained from all patients and/or families. We included children ≥6 years with unilateral Perthes' disease in stages Ib to IIb (modified Waldenström classification) who underwent primary VDRO and trochanteric epiphyseodesis for containment.88 Joseph B, Price CT. Principles of containment treatment aimed at preventing femoral head deformation in Perthes disease. Orthop Clin North Am 2011;42(03):317–327,1616 Canale ST, D’Anca AF, Cotler JM, Snedden HE. Innominate osteotomy in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1972;54 (01):25–40,1717 Joseph B, Varghese G, Mulpuri K, Narasimha Rao K, Nair NS. Natural evolution of Perthes disease: a study of 610 children under 12 years of age at disease onset. J Pediatr Orthop 2003;23 (05):590–600 We excluded patients with follow-up less than 1 year and inadequate records. Twenty-three children fulfilled above criteria and formed the subjects for this study.

According to the modified Waldenström classification for Perthes' disease, the femoral head fragmentation starts at IIa and progresses till stage IIb (late fragmentation).88 Joseph B, Price CT. Principles of containment treatment aimed at preventing femoral head deformation in Perthes disease. Orthop Clin North Am 2011;42(03):317–327,1616 Canale ST, D’Anca AF, Cotler JM, Snedden HE. Innominate osteotomy in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1972;54 (01):25–40,1717 Joseph B, Varghese G, Mulpuri K, Narasimha Rao K, Nair NS. Natural evolution of Perthes disease: a study of 610 children under 12 years of age at disease onset. J Pediatr Orthop 2003;23 (05):590–600 The procedure of VDRO is generally indicated in stage I and II disease. With available evidence that there will be likely extrusion of the epiphysis and subsequent deterioration in children over the age of 7 years, the procedure is also recommended in patients without extrusion.44 Huhnstock S, Svenningsen S, Pripp AH, Terjesen T, Wiig O. The acetabulum in Perthes’ disease: a prospective study of 123 children. J Child Orthop 2014;8(06):457–465,1313 Joseph B, RaoN,Mulpuri K, Varghese G, Nair S. Howdoes a femoral varus osteotomy alter the natural evolution of Perthes’ disease? J Pediatr Orthop B 2005;14(01):10–15,1717 Joseph B, Varghese G, Mulpuri K, Narasimha Rao K, Nair NS. Natural evolution of Perthes disease: a study of 610 children under 12 years of age at disease onset. J Pediatr Orthop 2003;23 (05):590–600,1818 Muirhead-Allwood W, Catterall A. The treatment of Perthes’ disease. The results of a trial of management. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1982;64(03):282–285 The practiced procedure of VDRO at our institute is an open lateral wedge subtrochanteric osteotomy to achieve containment of femoral head with lower limit of final neck shaft angle of ∼110–115 degrees, derotation of ∼15–20 degrees and stabilized with a molded dynamic compression plate.77 Price CT, Thompson GH, Wenger DR. Containment methods for treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Orthop Clin North Am 2011;42(03):329–340

Evaluation

The radiographic evaluation was based on anteroposterior plain X-rays. As above, initial stage and severity of hip involvement was determined using modified Waldenström classification.88 Joseph B, Price CT. Principles of containment treatment aimed at preventing femoral head deformation in Perthes disease. Orthop Clin North Am 2011;42(03):317–327,1616 Canale ST, D’Anca AF, Cotler JM, Snedden HE. Innominate osteotomy in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1972;54 (01):25–40 Acetabular index (AI) and center edge angle (CEA) were calculated for both hips preoperatively.1919 Heyman CH, Herndon CH. Legg-Perthes disease; a method for the measurement of the roentgenographic result. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1950;32 A(04):767–778 In subsequent follow-up radiographs, hip was evaluated for the presence of acetabular dysplasia and sphericity. Acetabular dysplasia was radiologically assessed by AI and CEA. Overall head sphericity was assessed by Stulberg grade.2020 Stulberg SD, Cooperman DR,Wallensten R. The natural history of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1981;63(07): 1095–1108

The stage of disease at presentation, patient's age and final head sphericity are the key factors postulated to decide the final outcome in Perthes' disease.22 Grzegorzewski A, Synder M, Kozłowski P, SzymczakW, Bowen RJ. The role of the acetabulum in Perthes disease. J Pediatr Orthop 2006;26(03):316–321,77 Price CT, Thompson GH, Wenger DR. Containment methods for treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Orthop Clin North Am 2011;42(03):329–340,88 Joseph B, Price CT. Principles of containment treatment aimed at preventing femoral head deformation in Perthes disease. Orthop Clin North Am 2011;42(03):317–327,1414 Joseph B, Nair NS, Narasimha Rao K, Mulpuri K, Varghese G. Optimal timing for containment surgery for Perthes disease. J Pediatr Orthop 2003;23(05):601–606,2121 Rampal V, Clément JL, Solla F. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: classifications and prognostic factors. Clin Cases Miner Bone Metab 2017;14(01):74–82 Accordingly, to enable analysis of acetabular results, children were subgrouped into those with early (Ib and IIa) and late fragmentation (IIb) disease stage at presentation; age ≤8 and >8 years and those who achieved Stulberg grade upto 2 (considered as good results) versus those with grade 3 or more.

Statistical Analysis

Preoperative AI and CEA on both sides were compared using paired student t-test to determine the approximate dysplasia on affected side. The indices were again compared at follow-up to determine the residual acetabular dysplasia. P value of <0.05 was considered significant. The statistical analysis was done using online ‘MedCalc’ statistical software.2222 MedCalc Statistical Software. (Version 14.8.1). Ostend: MedCalc Software Bvba; 2014

Results

Twenty-three children comprised 15 boys and 8 girls. Six hips were in Ib, 8 in IIa and 9 in IIb stage before undergoing VDRO (Table 1). The mean patient's age at surgical intervention was 8.7 (SD 1.5) years (range, 6.6–11.7 years). Lateral extrusion of the femoral head was present in 18 hips preoperatively. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.5 (SD 2.2) years and mean age at final follow-up was 12.2 (SD 2.4) years. All femoral heads were healed at final follow-up and of these, 48% hips were Stulberg grade I and II (Stulberg grade I = 3, II = 8, III = 7, IV = 5).

Table 1
Acetabular parameters preoperatively and at follow up

The preoperative radiographs showed significant acetabular dysplasia on the affected side compared with unaffected side. The affected hip showed a mean AI of 16.6 (SD 4.3) degrees and CEA of 25.8 (SD 4.8) degrees whereas for the unaffected side, the values were 11.7 (SD 2.4) degrees and 32.8 (SD 5.3) degrees respectively. Additionally, this dysplasia was also demonstrated in all analyzed subgroups (Table 2).

Table 2
Comparison between various subgroups

Patients operated in both early and late fragmentation disease stages had significant persistent acetabular dysplasia on the affected side at follow-up (Table 2). For disease stage Ib and IIa at presentation, AI on unaffected side was 12.8 (SD 3.9) degrees versus affected side 17.5 (SD 4.5) degrees (p = 0.0004). Corresponding CEA values on unaffected side were 37 (SD 6.5) degrees versus affected side 29 (SD 5.1) degrees (p = 0.002) (Fig. 1). The observations for hips operated in late fragmentation stage IIb were similar (Fig. 2). In the intergroup analysis, the acetabular dysplasia comparison of the affected side between the two groups (Ib/IIa and IIb), at the preoperative stage and at the final follow-up, was not significantly different (p > 0.05).

Fig. 1
(A) The 10.1 year old patient presented with Perthes' disease of left hip in stage 2a (patient 4); (B) The open wedge varus derotation osteotomy was performed to contain the hip; C) At follow-up 51 months, the disease healed. The head was enlarged and the final Stulberg grade was III. There was persistent acetabular dysplasia on the affected side (AI, 23 degrees) compared with unaffected (AI, 13 degrees).
Fig. 2
(A) The 6.7 year old presented with stage 2b disease and extrusion of right hip (patient 1) with increased AI on affected side (22 degrees) compared with unaffected side 12 degrees); (B) The open wedge varus derotation osteotomy was performed to contain the hip; (C) At follow-up 20 months, the final Stulberg grade was II. There was persistent acetabular dysplasia on the affected side (AI, 22 degrees) compared with unaffected (AI, 15 degrees).

The acetabulum failed to remodel, and persistent dysplasia was present in both early (operated till 8 years) and late age groups (operated after 8 years) at final follow-up. Significant difference (p < 0.001) in AI and CEA values were noted between non affected and affected hips at follow-up. Also, the intergroup analysis between two age groups showed comparable AI and CEA for the affected hips, both preoperatively and at follow-up.

The acetabulum remodelling did not correspond to the final Stulberg grade as well. The hips with final Stulberg grade I and II group also had significantly altered acetabulum parameters compared with the unaffected side at follow-up. The degree of acetabular dysplasia showed no significant difference when observations of two groups (Stulberg I/II and ≥III) were compared both at preoperative stage and at follow-up.

Discussion

Perthes' disease is a disorder of childhood characterized by avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Acetabulum changes in Perthes' disease is a long recognized phenomenon.11 KamegayaM, Shinada Y,Moriya H, Tsuchiya K, Akita T, Someya M. Acetabular remodelling in Perthes’ disease after primary healing. J Pediatr Orthop 1992;12(03):308–314

2 Grzegorzewski A, Synder M, Kozłowski P, SzymczakW, Bowen RJ. The role of the acetabulum in Perthes disease. J Pediatr Orthop 2006;26(03):316–321

3 Shah H, Siddesh ND, Joseph B. To what extent does remodeling of the proximal femur and the acetabulum occur between disease healing and skeletal maturity in Perthes disease? A radiological study. J Pediatr Orthop 2008;28(07):711–716

4 Huhnstock S, Svenningsen S, Pripp AH, Terjesen T, Wiig O. The acetabulum in Perthes’ disease: a prospective study of 123 children. J Child Orthop 2014;8(06):457–465

5 Madan S, Fernandes J, Taylor JF. Radiological remodelling of the acetabulum in Perthes’ disease. Acta Orthop Belg 2003;69(05): 412–420
-66 Maranho DA, Ferrer M, Kalish LA, Hovater W, Novais EN. The acetabulum in healed Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is cranially retroverted and associated with global reduction of femoral head coverage: a matched-cohort study. J Hip Preserv Surg 2020;7(01):49–56 Of the various morphological changes occurring in acetabulum, the most noted is acetabular dysplasia along with osteopenia of roof and irregularity.55 Madan S, Fernandes J, Taylor JF. Radiological remodelling of the acetabulum in Perthes’ disease. Acta Orthop Belg 2003;69(05): 412–420 The various factors analyzed in our study viz. initial stage of the disease, age of the child at surgical intervention and final radiological outcome have been a subject of much debate in Perthes' disease but the discussion is largely directed to the proximal femoral characteristics.77 Price CT, Thompson GH, Wenger DR. Containment methods for treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Orthop Clin North Am 2011;42(03):329–340,88 Joseph B, Price CT. Principles of containment treatment aimed at preventing femoral head deformation in Perthes disease. Orthop Clin North Am 2011;42(03):317–327 Our study focused on acetabulum relationship to these factors wherein patients were subjected to a uniform containment method i.e., VDRO. The study of acetabulum holds considerable importance because its incongruity persisting in older children after disease healing might cause early degenerative arthritis of the hip joint.33 Shah H, Siddesh ND, Joseph B. To what extent does remodeling of the proximal femur and the acetabulum occur between disease healing and skeletal maturity in Perthes disease? A radiological study. J Pediatr Orthop 2008;28(07):711–716,55 Madan S, Fernandes J, Taylor JF. Radiological remodelling of the acetabulum in Perthes’ disease. Acta Orthop Belg 2003;69(05): 412–420

Our study revealed presence of significant acetabular dysplasia even in early stages (stage I and II) of Perthes' disease or younger age children. Both AI and CEA were abnormal when compared with unaffected side preoperatively. This early dysplasia indicated that Perthes' disease is a global joint pathology rather than just proximal femoral involvement. It is therefore emphasized that the other side of hip joint may be given due consideration during the preoperative work up/ late reconstructions of Perthes' disease.

In the preventive intervention strategy for Perthes' management, as postulated by Joseph and associates, VDRO was typically indicated for stage IIa (stage of early fragmentation). However, in later research it was shown that VDRO was somewhat useful even for hips in late fragmentation (IIb).88 Joseph B, Price CT. Principles of containment treatment aimed at preventing femoral head deformation in Perthes disease. Orthop Clin North Am 2011;42(03):317–327,1414 Joseph B, Nair NS, Narasimha Rao K, Mulpuri K, Varghese G. Optimal timing for containment surgery for Perthes disease. J Pediatr Orthop 2003;23(05):601–606 Five out of nine (55%) patients with preoperative stage IIb disease achieved a final Stulberg grade of II in our series and an overall congruent hip joint. However, the follow-up acetabular indices didn't normalize in these patients as healing occurred.

The age cut off of 8 years for better femoral outcomes as an indication for VDRO has been established by multiple series.88 Joseph B, Price CT. Principles of containment treatment aimed at preventing femoral head deformation in Perthes disease. Orthop Clin North Am 2011;42(03):317–327,1414 Joseph B, Nair NS, Narasimha Rao K, Mulpuri K, Varghese G. Optimal timing for containment surgery for Perthes disease. J Pediatr Orthop 2003;23(05):601–606,2323 Mohan Kumar EG, Yathisha Kumar GM, Rasheed MA. Outcome of Closed Wedge Varus Derotation Osteotomy with Trochanteric Apophysiodesis in Perthes Disease. Indian J Orthop 2018;52 (06):616–624 Yet similar findings were not replicated for acetabulum. A possible explanation for this observation may lie in the fact that even though triradiate cartilage may not be completely fused by 8 years, the remodelling capacity of acetabulum declines considerably by this time due to loss of biological plasticity or the disease process. Corroborative evidence to above postulate may be seen with the use of VDRO for pathologies other than Perthes'. Shore et al studied the effect of VDRO on 56 children (103 hips) with cerebral palsy operated at the mean age of 7.7 years and with mean follow-up of 7.8 years.2424 Shore BJ, Powell D, Miller PE, Matheney TH, Snyder BD. Acetabular and femoral remodeling after varus derotational osteotomy in cerebral palsy: the effect of age and Gross Motor Function Classification Level. J Pediatr Orthop B 2016;25(04):322–330 They found no significant improvement of AI in children older than 6 years and mean improvement of 2.3 degrees in children ≤6 years. Thus, modification of plan/ concomitant acetabular procedure is suggested as early as age 6 years in Perthes' disease, if there is significant preoperative dysplasia of acetabulum.

Lastly, the patients who had good radiological results (Stulberg grade I and II) at follow-up also had residual deformed acetabular configurations in our study. Similar observations were also noted by Kamegaya et al who demonstrated that position of femoral head determines the final acetabular cover at maturity rather than sphericity, shape of head or age of the child.11 KamegayaM, Shinada Y,Moriya H, Tsuchiya K, Akita T, Someya M. Acetabular remodelling in Perthes’ disease after primary healing. J Pediatr Orthop 1992;12(03):308–314 This study comprised 33 unilateral Perthes's hips out of which 29 hips were analyzed based on acetabular head index (AHI), sphericity of femoral head, age at primary healing and amount of subluxation. Only 13 hips (48.8%) had more than 10% improvement in AHI at healing. Overall, no significant correlation of AHI was found with femoral head sphericity or age at primary healing. It however, correlated to reduction of subluxation. Authors for this series however, recommended delaying acetabular procedures, if needed till maturity, as some of their patients showed acetabular remodelling. We found that changes in acetabulum in children who underwent VDRO after age of 6 years in Perthes' disease did not remodel significantly despite improved contour of femoral head.

Majority of our children were skeletally immature at final follow-up. According to observations of Shah et al, the shape of the femoral head and congruity of the hip was largely static post healing and further changes at achieving skeletal maturity were unlikely.33 Shah H, Siddesh ND, Joseph B. To what extent does remodeling of the proximal femur and the acetabulum occur between disease healing and skeletal maturity in Perthes disease? A radiological study. J Pediatr Orthop 2008;28(07):711–716 Thus, the possibility that final radiological results may change significantly at maturity is limited. Other limitations were a retrospective study design, different ages at which VDRO was performed, and the dissimilar follow-up period. Additionally, there were differences in preoperative Perthes' disease stages and severity of acetabular dysplasia. The plain radiographs formed the basis of both initial and final evaluation and had an inherent limitation as acetabulum has an overall complex shape. The statistical results need a careful interpretation being based on a relatively small number of patients and univariate analysis. However, our series cut down various biases of management, it being a uniform cohort of unilateral Perthes' cases operated upon with a common technique. Since a normal reference in form of unaffected acetabulum was available, both preoperatively and at follow-up for all comparisons, it accounted for physiological changes occurring in the acetabulum over the follow-up period. A follow-up till disease healing was available for all cases. We could quantitatively establish that acetabulum deformed early in Perthes' disease and its restoration was incomplete following VDRO possibly because of the limited remodelling potential at the time of performance of surgical procedure. Contrary to common belief, VDRO procedure performed in early disease stages may not always yield favorable acetabular outcomes. Finally, the acetabulum remodelling might not corroborate with the final femoral head shape at healing. We would however, like to suggest further studies on acetabular remodelling following VDRO with a larger number of cases and longer follow-up till skeletal maturity to decipher such changes with greater precision.

Conclusions

Acetabulum was found involved in early stages of Perthes' disease. Varus derotation femoral osteotomy for of the diseased hip showed no significant improvement in acetabular dysplasia even when operated in early disease stages or younger age group. Residual acetabular changes were also noted even with favorable Stulberg grades.

  • Work developed in the Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, Geeta Colony, Delhi, India
  • Financial Support
    This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

References

  • 1
    KamegayaM, Shinada Y,Moriya H, Tsuchiya K, Akita T, Someya M. Acetabular remodelling in Perthes’ disease after primary healing. J Pediatr Orthop 1992;12(03):308–314
  • 2
    Grzegorzewski A, Synder M, Kozłowski P, SzymczakW, Bowen RJ. The role of the acetabulum in Perthes disease. J Pediatr Orthop 2006;26(03):316–321
  • 3
    Shah H, Siddesh ND, Joseph B. To what extent does remodeling of the proximal femur and the acetabulum occur between disease healing and skeletal maturity in Perthes disease? A radiological study. J Pediatr Orthop 2008;28(07):711–716
  • 4
    Huhnstock S, Svenningsen S, Pripp AH, Terjesen T, Wiig O. The acetabulum in Perthes’ disease: a prospective study of 123 children. J Child Orthop 2014;8(06):457–465
  • 5
    Madan S, Fernandes J, Taylor JF. Radiological remodelling of the acetabulum in Perthes’ disease. Acta Orthop Belg 2003;69(05): 412–420
  • 6
    Maranho DA, Ferrer M, Kalish LA, Hovater W, Novais EN. The acetabulum in healed Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is cranially retroverted and associated with global reduction of femoral head coverage: a matched-cohort study. J Hip Preserv Surg 2020;7(01):49–56
  • 7
    Price CT, Thompson GH, Wenger DR. Containment methods for treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Orthop Clin North Am 2011;42(03):329–340
  • 8
    Joseph B, Price CT. Principles of containment treatment aimed at preventing femoral head deformation in Perthes disease. Orthop Clin North Am 2011;42(03):317–327
  • 9
    KołbanM, Darczuk J, ChmielnickiM. Remodelling and congruency of the hip joint in children with Perthes’ disease treated with varus-derotation subtrochanteric osteotomy. Ortop Traumatol Rehabil 2004;6(06):697–704
  • 10
    Herceg MB, Cutright MT,Weiner DS. Remodeling of the proximal femur after upper femoral varus osteotomy for the treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. J Pediatr Orthop 2004;24(06): 654–657
  • 11
    Aydin BK, Sofu H, Konya MN, Er T, Sahin V. Clinical and radiographic outcomes after femoral varus derotation osteotomy for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease at 25 years follow-up: what are the determinants of outcome in the long term? Hip Int 2016;26(03): 301–306
  • 12
    Shohat N, Copeliovitch L, Smorgick Y, et al. the long-termoutcome after varus derotational osteotomy for Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease: Amean follow-up of 42 years. J Bone Joint Surg Am2016;98 (15):1277–1285
  • 13
    Joseph B, RaoN,Mulpuri K, Varghese G, Nair S. Howdoes a femoral varus osteotomy alter the natural evolution of Perthes’ disease? J Pediatr Orthop B 2005;14(01):10–15
  • 14
    Joseph B, Nair NS, Narasimha Rao K, Mulpuri K, Varghese G. Optimal timing for containment surgery for Perthes disease. J Pediatr Orthop 2003;23(05):601–606
  • 15
    Kitakoji T, Hattori T, Kitoh H, Katoh M, Ishiguro N. Which is a better method for Perthes’ disease: femoral varus or Salter osteotomy? Clin Orthop Relat Res 2005;(430):163–170
  • 16
    Canale ST, D’Anca AF, Cotler JM, Snedden HE. Innominate osteotomy in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1972;54 (01):25–40
  • 17
    Joseph B, Varghese G, Mulpuri K, Narasimha Rao K, Nair NS. Natural evolution of Perthes disease: a study of 610 children under 12 years of age at disease onset. J Pediatr Orthop 2003;23 (05):590–600
  • 18
    Muirhead-Allwood W, Catterall A. The treatment of Perthes’ disease. The results of a trial of management. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1982;64(03):282–285
  • 19
    Heyman CH, Herndon CH. Legg-Perthes disease; a method for the measurement of the roentgenographic result. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1950;32 A(04):767–778
  • 20
    Stulberg SD, Cooperman DR,Wallensten R. The natural history of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1981;63(07): 1095–1108
  • 21
    Rampal V, Clément JL, Solla F. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: classifications and prognostic factors. Clin Cases Miner Bone Metab 2017;14(01):74–82
  • 22
    MedCalc Statistical Software. (Version 14.8.1). Ostend: MedCalc Software Bvba; 2014
  • 23
    Mohan Kumar EG, Yathisha Kumar GM, Rasheed MA. Outcome of Closed Wedge Varus Derotation Osteotomy with Trochanteric Apophysiodesis in Perthes Disease. Indian J Orthop 2018;52 (06):616–624
  • 24
    Shore BJ, Powell D, Miller PE, Matheney TH, Snyder BD. Acetabular and femoral remodeling after varus derotational osteotomy in cerebral palsy: the effect of age and Gross Motor Function Classification Level. J Pediatr Orthop B 2016;25(04):322–330

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    23 Oct 2023
  • Date of issue
    Jul-Aug 2023

History

  • Received
    12 Mar 2023
  • Accepted
    05 May 2023
Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia Al. Lorena, 427 14º andar, 01424-000 São Paulo - SP - Brasil, Tel.: 55 11 2137-5400 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: rbo@sbot.org.br