A CONTROLLED STUDY OF THE INDICATIONS FOR AND THE RESULTS OF FEMORAL OSTEOTOMY IN PERTHES ’ DISEASE

We have considered the reasons for securing containment of the femoral head in Perthes ’ disease and have reviewed briefly the methods used. The present investigation describes the outcome in a controlled series of forty-eight hips treated by containment by femoral yams-rotation osteotomy in selected patients. In assessing the results we have emphasised that controls are essential, and for this purpose we have used two comparable groups, one untreated and the other treated by methods other than containment. The same factors were considered in assessment-namely age, duration, group, and the presence or absence of “at risk” signs. The results were graded similarly as good, fair and poor in all groups. We have concluded that containment by femoral osteotomy is the treatment of choice in patients with “at risk ” signs provided that severe deformity has not already occurred. There is no evidence that treatment of any kind favourably Although this is predominantly a radiological study VOL. 58-B, No. I, FEBRUARY 1976 3) influences the course of the disorder in the remainder. some clinical features are discussed. By repositioning the femoral head within the mould of the acetabulum during the active phase of Perthes