Intertrochanteric osteotomy in the treatment of Perthes' disease.

Intertrochanteric osteotomy has been carried out in 34 children with Perthes' disease. Five weeks after the operation the patients were allowed to move about freely. The average postoperative follow-up period was 27 months. At that time the results seemed to be at least as good as those of Thomas' splint therapy. The varus-derotation osteotomy performed in the initial stage accelerated the process of reossification and seemed to prevent subluxation. According to our findings it is worthwhile correcting the subluxation even in cases with irreversible changes.