The modified Stulberg classification is a strong predictor of the radiological outcome 20 years after the diagnosis of Perthes’ disease

Aims The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the modified three-group Stulberg classification, which is based on the sphericity of the femoral head, in patients with Perthes’ disease. Methods A total of 88 patients were followed from the time of diagnosis until a mean follow-up of 21 years. Anteroposterior pelvic and frog-leg lateral radiographs were obtained at diagnosis and at follow-up of one, five, and 21 years. At the five- and 21-year follow-up, the femoral heads were classified using a modified three-group Stulberg classification (round, ovoid, or flat femoral head). Further radiological endpoints at long-term follow-up were osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and the requirement for total hip arthroplasty (THA). Results There were 71 males (81%) and 17 females. A total of 13 patients had bilateral Perthes’ disease; thus 101 hips were analyzed. At five-year follow-up, 37 hips were round, 38 ovoid, and 26 flat. At that time, 66 hips (65%) were healed and 91 (90%) were skeletally immature. At long-term follow-up, when the mean age of the patients was 28 years (24 to 34), 20 hips had an unsatisfactory outcome (seven had OA and 13 had required THA). There was a strongly significant association between the modified Stulberg classification applied atfive-year follow-up and an unsatisfactory outcome at long-term follow-up (p < 0.001). Between the five- and 21-year follow-up, 67 hips (76%) stayed in their respective modified Stulberg group, indicating a strongly significant association between the Stulberg classifications at these follow-ups (p < 0.001). Conclusion The modified Stulberg classification is a strong predictor of long-term radiological outcome in patients with Perthes’ disease. It can be applied at the healing stage, which is usually reached five years after the diagnosis is made and before skeletal maturity. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(12):1815–1820.

OUTCOMES OF CORE DECOMPRESSION WITH INJECTION OF BONE MARROW ASPIRATE FOR PEDIATRIC FEMORAL HEAD OSTEONECROSIS

Background: Pediatric patients with femoral head osteonecrosis (FHON) often suffer from significant pain with decreased mobility. Once femoral head collapse occurs, few options are available short of a total hip arthroplasty (THA).[1,2] Core decompression by drilling of the femoral head is used to improve pain and prevent further femoral head collapse, however most of the literature on this technique involves adult patients.[3-5] Purpose: To date, there is no description of this technique or its outcomes in pediatric patients with FHON secondary to other etiologies other than sickle cell disease (SCD).[6] The purpose of our study is to determine outcomes in patients with FHON after undergoing core decompression with injection of bone marrow aspirate (BMA). Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of all pediatric patients at our institution between 2007-2019 with FHON that underwent core decompression with injection of BMA. The following etiologies were identified: SCD, steroid-induced, Perthes disease (PD), slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), trauma, idiopathic, or other. To determine if core decompression with injection results in cessation of further femoral head collapse, two outcomes were assessed: Stulberg classification and number of cases that required THA. Furthermore, we evaluated whether core decompression with injection occurred in combination with any additional surgical procedure. Results: Twenty-six hips with FHON were identified with the following etiologies: 12 SCD (46.3%), 8 steroid-induced (30.8%), 2 PD (7.7%), 1 SCFE (3.8%), 1 trauma (3.8%), 1 idiopathic (3.8%), 1 other (3.8%). Mean age at the time of surgery was 12.7 years (range: 8-18). Twenty hips (76.9%) were seen in males and 6 (23.1%) were seen in females. Twenty-two hips (84.6%) were seen in black patients and 4 (15.4%) in white patients. Mean follow-up was 37.9 months (range: 0.6-77.8). Mean Stulberg classification was 3.15 (SD: 1.26). Twelve hips (46.2%) required concomitant femoral and/or pelvic osteotomies while 14 hips (53.8%) underwent core decompression with injection alone. Six hips required conversion to THA after initial core decompression and injection. All hips requiring THA were seen in patients with core decompressions and injections but no additional femoral and/or pelvic osteotomies. Conclusion: Most hips undergoing core decompression with injection did not require THA. Of the hips that required THA, all were seen in patients who only had core decompression and injection of BMA but no concomitant femoral and/or pelvic osteotomies. [Figure: see text][Figure: see text][Figure: see text]

Outcome after osteochondroplasty and relative neck lengthening for patients with healed Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: a retrospective cohort study of patients with hip-deformities treated with osteochondroplasty and relative neck lengthening

Aims: Our main objectives were to evaluate the effect of surgery using self-assessed health scores. Secondary objectives were to correlate outcome with grade of deformity (Stulberg classification I–V) or age at surgery and whether additional periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is beneficial for patients with concurrent acetabular dysplasia. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort and in part a cross sectional study using a planned clinical and radiological follow-up of patients. All patients with healed Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) treated with osteochondroplasty and relative neck lengthening using surgical hip dislocation, with or without periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) were included. A total of 39 patients were identified and invited to participate (29 males and 10 females) of which 32 accepted. Radiographic assessment and Stulberg classification were obtained. The Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS), modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and the VAS scale of EQ-5D-5L were used. Results: The majority of the patients experienced improvement (74%, n = 27) and 21 patients (78%, n = 27) found the surgery worthwhile. Preoperative Stulberg II and III patients (83% improvement) showed better results than Stulberg IV and V patients (56% improvement) ( n = 27, p = 0.121). There was significantly better patient-satisfaction for those younger than 29 years of age (⩽18 years old (92%), 19–28 years old (89%), ⩾29 years old (67%), x2(2) = 8512, n = 27, p = 0.022) and a negative correlation for age at onset of LCPD and mHHS ( r = –0.420, p = 0.046, n = 23). Patients with concurrent acetabular dysplasia ( n = 19), 82% (9 of 11) improved after additional PAO compared to 63% (5 of 8) who were not operated on with PAO. Conclusion: This procedure is worthwhile in selected cases except for severe deformity (Stulberg IV and V) and patients >28 years of age.

Advanced containment methods for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: triple pelvic osteotomy versus Chiari osteotomy

Introduction: The goal of intervention in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is to prevent femoral head deformation by containing the head within the acetabulum. Currently, surgical containment methods are the mainstay of treatment, and pelvic osteotomies have been shown to be successful. They include triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO), Salter osteotomy, Chiari osteotomy and shelf procedure. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and radiologic results for Chiari osteotomy and TPO in LCPD. Methods: 29 children treated between 1980 and 2010 for LCPD in 2 centres were reviewed. 19 underwent TPO, and 10, Chiari osteotomy. Two independent observers assessed sequential radiographs and medical data. Each hip was preoperatively classed by clinical data, Catteral, Herring and Salter-Thompson classification, centre-edge angle (CE), and acetabular index (AI). The 2 groups were first tested for their comparability. After surgery the hips were classified by Stulberg classification, CE, AI, Harris Hip Score (HHS) and performance of further surgery. Chiari osteotomy and TPO have been secondary compared on these data by Wilcoxon test. Results: Average follow-up was 4.2 years. The 2 groups were comparable before surgery. At first and last follow-up examination, statistically significantly superior results in patients with TPO regarding Stulberg classification (p = 0.01), AI (p = 0.002), pain (p = 0.02) and function (p = 0.01) in the HHS score were found. No differences were noticed concerning CE angle. Conclusions: In our series, TPO provided better radiologic and clinical outcomes compared to Chiari osteotomy, specially concerning the final Stulberg classification. We concluded that TPO should be preferred when indicated.