Intertrochanteric osteotomy for degenerative hip disease. Indications.

A retrospective study was carried out to determine what were the features of either success or failure of intertrochanteric osteotomy of the hip for degenerative hip disease. Seventy-three patients (78 hips) were reviewed clinically and roentgenographically with a follow-up of two to 12 years. The hips were classified into the superior, medial and intermediate types of the primary degenerative hip disease and into the dysplastic and coxa magna variety for the secondary degenerative hip disease and then further classified into Stage I and Stage II. Stage I was defined by the roentgenographic criteria common to most of the successful procedures (78%) and Stage II was defined by criteria common to the failures (77%). Each of the stages was defined for the various types of degenerative hip disease. The roentgenographic criteria for Stage I are suggested as prerequisitive for indicating intertrochanteric osteotomy for treatment of degenerative hip disease. The roentgenographic criteria for Stage II are suggested as an indication for an operative procedure other than osteotomy. The postoperative course in the successful case characteristically showed an immediate pain relief and gradual improvement in walking, motion and function over a period of at least 6 years.