Residual hip dysplasia as a risk factor for osteoarthritis in 45 years follow-up of late-detected hip dislocation

The aim of the study was to assess the role of residual hip dysplasia as a risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA) in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).

Fifty-one patients (60 hips) with late-detected DDH were studied. Reduction had been performed at a mean age of 19 months (range 4–65 months). On radiographs at age 8–10 years, at skeletal maturity, and at long-term follow-up, femoral head coverage was assessed using the migration percentage (MP) and centre-edge (CE) angle. OA was diagnosed if the minimum joint space width of the upper part of the joint was <2.0 mm.

The mean age at the last follow-up was 45 years (range 43–49 years) in patients who had not undergone total hip replacement (THR). Ten patients had developed OA and eight of them had undergone THR at a mean age of 40 years (range 32–47 years). There was a clear association between OA and residual hip dysplasia. At the last follow-up, 37 hips had normal CE angles (20° or higher) and OA had developed in only two of them (5%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1–18%). Hip dysplasia without subluxation (CE angle 10–19°) was seen in 18 hips, of which 14 hips had good outcome and four had OA (22%; 95% CI 6–48%). Subluxation occurred in five hips, of which one had a good long-term outcome and four had OA (80%; 95% CI 28–99%). In patients without late reconstructive surgery, MP increased from the age of 10 years to skeletal maturity; thereafter, no significant change occurred. The CE angle did not change significantly between the age of 10 years and the last follow-up.

Hip dysplasia without subluxation has a relatively good long-term prognosis. Subluxation is a risk factor for osteoarthritis. Thus, children with MP above 33% and CE angle under 10° should be evaluated for reconstructive surgery in order to improve the long-term outcome.