Intertrochanteric partial osteotomy for posterior hip approach

The posterior dislocation remains one unresolved complication of the posterior approach to the hip joint. In this study, a variation of the posterior hip approach – a partial osteotomy of the greater trochanter – was performed in order to investigate whether it provides better stability to the operated hip joint and reduces the risk of dislocation. We carried out a partial intertrochanteric osteotomy, initially in a cadaveric model and then in 68 patients (30 acute neck of femur fractures and 38 patients with hip osteoarthritis) requiring a total hip replacement. The osteotomised fragment was reattached with wires. All arthroplasties were cemented with Müller acetabular component and Charnley-type stem with a 28-mm interchangeable neck. Intraoperatively, all hips were tested for stability. After the osteosynthesis of the osteotomised fragment, hip dislocation points were increased more than 15% in the flexion and 10% in the internal rotation plane of movement. At one year follow up, no dislocation was observed in the clinical component of the study. This technique was found reliable in providing a stable hip joint.