The durability and risks associated with total hip arthroplasty (THA) for patients with a history of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) are not well known.
We sought to (1) determine the survivorship of THAs performed for LCPD; (2) assess hip scores and complications associated with THA in this patient population; and (3) compare results between patients who had undergone surgery in childhood with patients who had conservative treatment.
We reviewed 99 primary THAs performed in 95 patients with a history of LCPD with minimum 2-year followup (mean ± SD, 8 ± 5 years). Mean age at THA was 48 ± 15 years.
A total of 10 revisions were performed. Using revision for any reason as the end point, the 8-year survival rate was 90% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76%-96%) for cementless implants compared with 86% (95% CI, 57%-96%) for hybrid implants. The mean Harris hip score improved by 31 ± 16 (n = 76). Complications occurred in 16% of hips. The most common major complication was intraoperative fracture (eight femoral, one acetabular). Three patients developed sciatic nerve palsy after a mean lengthening of 2.2 ± 1 cm compared with a mean of 1.4 ± 1 cm in patients with intact sciatic nerve (p = 0.3).
Cementless THAs for the sequelae of LCPD demonstrate 90% survival from any revision at 8 years followup. THAs for the sequelae of LCPD can be complicated and technically difficult. Intraoperative fractures and nerve injuries are common. Care should be taken to avoid excessive limb lengthening.