Objective To investigate the effectiveness of absorbable pins for reconstructing pelvic stability in Salter innominate osteotomy for treating development dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Methods Between January 2003 and December 2008, 392 patients (440 hips) with DDH underwent a Salter procedure. There were 68 boys (82 hips) and 324 girls (358 hips) with a mean age of 3 years and 3 months (range, 1 year and 6 months-5 years). According to Tonnis classification criteria, 13 hips were rated as grade I, 304 hips as grade II, 82 hips as grade III, and 41 hips as grade IV. Based on the degree of displacement of the femoral head and acetabular index on the anteroposterior pelvic X-ray film, operation method was selected before operation. A total of 341 hips were managed with open reduction and Salter innominate osteotomy, and 99 hips with Salter innominate osteotomy and femoral shortening rotating osteotomy. All cases underwent autologous iliac crest grafting and fixation between osteotomy sites and bone graft with 2 absorbable pins. Results At 1 day after operation, anteroposterior pelvic X-ray examination showed concentric reduction in all hips, having no instability of the joint of the osteotomy sites or bone graft shifting. A total of 368 patients (413 hips) were followed up 1 to 7 years (mean, 3 years and 10 months). At 3 months after operation, no bone graft in stability or shift, and sliding or loosening of pins occurred. At last follow-up, concentric reduction rate was 100%; after hip loading, 358 patients had no claudication and limited hip activities, who had the stability of hips and negative Allis and Ortalani signs. No abnormal height growth was observed in all patients. According to Mckay’s hip function evaluation criteria, the results were excellent in 390 hips, good in 16 hips, and fair in 7 hips, with an excellent and good rate of 98.3%; according to Severin X-ray criteria, the results were excellent in 386 hips, good in 17 hips, and fair in 10 hips, with an excellent and good rate of 97.6%. Conclusion Absorbable pins can replace steel pins for fixation of the osteotomy sites and bone graft in Salter innoninate because of flexible and convenient operation without a need for reoperation of steel pins extraction.
To investigate the operative technique of treating Freiberg’s disease with dorsal wedge osteotomy and absorbable pin fixation, and to evaluate the cl inical outcome. Methods From June 2005 to June 2007, 8 patients with Freiberg’s disease were treated, including 2 males and 6 females aged 16-66 years old (average 36 years old). X-ray films revealed osteosclerosis, collapse of the metatarsal head and ischemic necrosis of the second metatarsal head. According toSmill ie classification system, there were 4 cases of stage II, 3 of stage III and 1 of stage IV. The duration of symptoms was 6-36 months (average 19 months). After dorsal wedge osteotomy, the metatarsal heads were rotated to reconstrust the joint surface, then 3-4 pieces of absorbable pin 1.5 mm in length were implanted for fixation. Results All wounds healed by first intention, and no early postoperative compl ications occurred. Five patients were followed for 11-35 months (average 14 months) and had significant pain rel ief. At 3 months after operation, the dorsal-flexion of metatarsophalangeal joint was improved by 0-50° (average 21°), and the plantar-flexion was increased by 0-10° (average 5°). X-ray films showed that solid union of the osteotomy was achieved in all patients at 8-13 weeks after operation (average 10 weeks). Average shortening of metatarsal was 1.7 mm (range 1.3-2.0 mm). All patients returned to sports and recreational activities at 4 months after operation, except one case of stage IV who had constant swelling and stiffness in the joint and was improved at 12 months after operation. Conclusion Dorsal wedge osteotomy in complex with absorbable pin fixation is an effective procedure for stage II and III Freiberg’s disease, because it is capable of reconstructing the metatarsophalangeal joint effectively, allowing early joint motion and avoiding a second operation.