Surgical treatment of overgrowth of the greater trochanter in children and adolescents.

After developmental dislocation of the hip, Perthes disease, bacterial coxitis, and other pediatric hip conditions, the femoral neck may develop short, with an overgrowth of the greater trochanter. Forty-four patients with trochanter overgrowth (47 hips) ages 6 to 17 years underwent surgery. Trochanteric epiphysiodesis was performed in 13 patients (group A), distal transfer of the greater trochanter in 24 patients (26 hips; group B), and femoral neck lengthening osteotomy in 7 patients (8 hips; group C). The mean follow-up time was 8.3 years. Clinical results were evaluated by the hip score according to Merle d'Aubigné. Radiological parameters were evaluated by 2 of the authors. Each operative method led to an improvement of clinical symptoms. In group A, no significant changes in the radiological parameters could be found. Groups B and C showed significant improvements in the radiological parameters. However, no difference was found between these 2 groups.