Distal transfer of the greater trochanter revisited: long-term follow-up of nine hips.

Seven female patients (nine hip joints) with avascular necrosis and functional coxa vara secondary to developmental dysplasia of the hip joint (DDH) were treated by distal transfer of the greater trochanter (DTT). A 5-year follow-up showed good results in 89% of the hip joints. We reviewed the patients again 12 years later using the Mayo Clinic hip score. Improvement of gait was maintained in the majority of the patients (71%), but the hip score was low in 67% of the patients because of the development of osteoarthritis. Two patients underwent a total hip arthroplasty, and a third is awaiting this operation. Distal transfer of the trochanter is beneficial in improvement of gait but may enhance the development of osteoarthritis.