The surgical treatment of patients with neglected developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) has been the subject of controversy. We asked if age affected outcome in patients with neglected DDH with unilateral or bilateral dislocation who underwent one-stage combined procedures. We retrospectively reviewed the results of 40 patients (51 hips) treated with a one-stage combined procedure consisting of open reduction, pelvic osteotomy, and femoral shortening. The average age at the time of surgery was 5.4 years for Group I (bilateral dislocation, 22 hips) and 6.7 years for Group II (unilateral dislocation, 29 hips). Mean followup was 5.4 years for Group I and 6.7 years for Group II. According to the modified score system of Trevor et al, 13 hips rated excellent, three were good, and six were fair in Group I; the ratings were 14, nine, and six hips respectively in Group II. Four patients had a limb-length discrepancy of approximately 1.5 cm in Group I. Twelve hips in Group I and 18 hips in Group II had osteonecrosis of varying severity. Our data suggest the outcomes of the children who were 5.5 years or younger in Group I and 8 years or younger in Group II were better.
Level of evidence: Level IV, case series. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.